"I think they have a chance. I think they can do that. At the moment they're level with Arsenal, just behind us, that's a good position to be in," the United boss has said.
"Without question, Villa are an improving side and Martin has done a fantastic job there. He never changes his side much from the previous week so they have that consistency.
"Martin is one of the best managers in the game. He's proved himself.
"The only way you can judge managers is how they prove themselves over a period and the job he did at Leicester, Celtic and now Villa shows he is an obvious top manager, no question about that."