Robin van Persie is pleased to see the rise of Aston Villa as a club, compared to the state they were in when he last faced them.

The Feyenoord manager’s final appearance against Villa came in December 2014, around 18 months before the club suffered relegation to the Championship.

Van Persie had also scored a memorable hat-trick against Villa in April 2013, including a stunning volley at Old Trafford, as Manchester United secured the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson that season.

In recent years, Villa have undergone a remarkable transformation. Backed by V Sports ownership and, more notably, under the guidance of Unai Emery, the club has secured three consecutive European campaigns, re-establishing itself among England’s top sides.

"Aston Villa is obviously a fantastic team with a fantastic manager," Van Persie said in his pre-match press conference. "That's beyond doubt. They're super fit and play very structured. I think we are too. Based on that, it won't be a chaotic match.

"I think it could be a very good match at first glance. In my...