Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English Premier League
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THE FACTS
When is Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd on and what time does it start? Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd will take place on Friday 22nd December, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd on in the UK? Television rights for the Premier League in the UK are shared between Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime so it is worth checking their schedules for Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd
Where can I stream Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd in the UK? If Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd is televised, then it can be streamed on either Sky Go, discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video depending on who is broadcasting the match
THE LOWDOWN
ASTON VILLA
Last weekend, Aston Villa continued their remarkable campaign as they came from behind to defeat a stubborn but out-of-form Brentford side by two goals to one in West London. Late goals from Alex Moreno and then former Brentford man Ollie Watkins leaves Unai Emery’s Villains sitting just a point off top spot in the Premier League.
That 2-1 defeat of Brentford came a few days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final UEFA Europa Conference League group game. Those results mean they are now unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions. They have enjoyed 15 successive wins at Villa Park in the Premier League ahead of this weekend.
SHEFFIELD UTD
Chris Wilder has been back in charge of three matches at Sheffield Utd with The Blades managing to pick up a victory against Brentford, sandwiched by defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool. The South Yorkshire side showed some minor signs of improvement in that game against Liverpool before then turning that into an effective, albeit limited performance against Brentford.
Their improved organisation under Wilder also showed against Chelsea as they frustrated The Blues for much of the match. They remain well adrift in the bottom three and the relegation places, though, sitting rock-bottom with two victories in their 17 matches so far this season – and they sit six points adrift of safety.
THE TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Both Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz are likely to return to Villa's starting line-up this weekend after they both served one-match suspensions for totting up yellow cards last weekend. Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans miss out, however.
Villa will remain without the likes of Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia, who are absent with serious knee injuries. Robin Olsen remains unavailable, too, whilst last weekend's victory at Brentford saw Boubacar Kamara sent off.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Digne; Bailey, Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins
UNAVAILABLE: Olsen (Injured), Mings (Injured), Torres (Injured), Kamara (Suspended), Tielemans (Injured), Traore (Injured), Buendia (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SHEFFIELD UTD
In his pre-match press conference, Chris Wilder intentionally revealed very little, just saying that the squad has a "few issues" but didn’t elaborate on what those issues may be with the likes of Chris Basham and John Egan remaining out, although Norrington-Davies is thought to be close.
Former Villa striker Cameron Archer will be available for the game with some suggestions his transfer from The Villains to Bramall Lane over the summer may have restricted that from happening. Jack Robinson will also be available following his suspension.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Trusty; Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Hamer, Brooks; McAtee; McBurnie, Archer
UNAVAILABLE: Basham (Injured), Davies (Injured), Egan (Injured), Jebbison (Illness), Brewster (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Norrington-Davies (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have been absolutely magnificent this season – particularly at Villa Park. With Arsenal facing Liverpool on Saturday evening, Villa will go top of the table with a win in this one and will stay top for Christmas should those two sides then share a draw. Sheffield Utd have improved so may well be able to keep the score respectable but it would appear extremely unlikely for United to get anything out of the match.
TIP: ASTON VILLA TO WIN & UNDER 4.5 GOALS
