Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
Date: 14/12/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Bramall Lane
Referee: Peter Bankes
Chris WIlder’s Sheffield United will aim to continue their impressive form this season as they host a struggling Aston Villa side at Bramall Lane.
The Blades will face their second newly-promoted side in two weeks, as they host an Aston Villa side in worrying form. United’s last result against Norwich saw them continue their impressive run in the Premier League so far, where they find themselves in eighth place, on 22 points. United’s three-minute turnaround in the second half of their game against Norwich highlighted the fighting spirit Wilder has installed in his men, continually proving that their label as the Premier League underdogs is highly unjustified.
Throughout this campaign, the newly-promoted side have consistently shown the class which got them up to the Premier League last season, winning five of their 16 games so far, and being undefeated away from home. Wilder’s men have gone toe to toe with some of the Premier League giants, and although still early on, they have seemed to secure their place for next season.
One man Wilder will be hoping to have for this coming weekend is striker Lys Mousset, who has been in fine form of late. The Frenchman has scored five goals this campaign, including two in his last four games. There’s no doubt that if he is fit for the weekend, he will relish playing against an injury-riddled and out of form Villa backline.
Another man who will be hoping to feature in this weekend’s clash is former Villa player, Callum Robinson. The Villa academy graduate has fallen out of favour in recent weeks but will be hoping to get a chance to prove to his former employers why they shouldn’t have sold him. Despite breaking into Villa’s first team in 2014, Robinson was sold to Preston later that year.
Dean Smith will be hoping to turn his Villa side’s fortunes around, after a tough period of fixtures. The Villans have faced all six of the current top six in their last seven games, with their only win coming against Newcastle, arguably the easiest fixture of that run. Smith will be hoping to sneak an unlikely away win, as all four of Sheffield United’s defeats this season have been at home.
As ever seems to be the case with Villa, their away record this season has been less than impressive. Their only away win so far has come against Norwich, where they came away 5-1 winners. On the road this season, Villa have thrown away victories against both Tottenham and Arsenal, reflecting their frustrating return to life in the Premier League. With a more favourable run of fixtures across the next two months, Villa will be hoping to climb back up the Premier League towards midtable safety.
In recent weeks, Villa have experienced trouble at both ends of the pitch. The West Midlands side have conceded eight in their last three, whilst record signing Wesley has failed to score in his last eight starts. With limited options upfront, Smith may have to rely on the out of form Brazilian until the transfer window opens in a few weeks. The Villa faithful will be hoping that Tyrone Mings will make a quick return to the starting 11, as he went off injured against Leicester last weekend. He has been the shining light in what has been a pretty dim season for Villa’s defence so far.
Despite the lack of results for a Villa in recent weeks, Jack Grealish has managed to give an excellent account of himself. The club’s captain has scored twice in three games and has looked like Villa’s main source of attacking creativity. The boyhood fan finds himself on four bookings, meaning he will face suspension if he collects another yellow card. Grealish is still chasing his first international call up, and will no doubt put in another excellent performance against another tough opponent this weekend.
Team News:
Sheffield United
Lys Mousset will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s fixture, as he suffered a knock against Norwich. Fleck, Baldock and Lundstram all find themselves one booking away from suspension.
Aston Villa
Tyrone Mings suffered a hamstring injury last weekend and is expected to be out for the remainder of 2019. Jonathan Kodjia may feature, as Smith could look to drop Wesley, who is in a rough patch of form.
Predicted Starting XIs
Sheffield United (4-4-2): Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, Mousset.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Heaton, Guilbert, Engels, Konsa, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Grealish, Trezeguet, Wesley.
Score Prediction: Sheffield United 3-0 Aston Villa
Sheffield United have been in fine form this season, showing high levels of energy and passion. Villa find themselves in poor form, with a weak defence. This one could get ugly for the Midlands side.
