Sheffield United continue their fight for Premier League survival against Aston Villa at Bramall Lane.
Victory could see Chris Wilder’s Blades move off the foot of the table if Burnley lose elsewhere, whilst Villa can go fourth if Tottenham lose in the lunchtime kick-off or they win and Spurs draw at Everton.
Team News
Ivo Grbic is ruled out for Sheffield Utd after he suffered a concussion during their midweek defeat at Crystal Palace.
Max Lowe (knock) and Tom Davies (thigh) could return whilst Ben Brereton Diaz (knock) is available for selection.
Rhian Brewster (suspension), George Baldock (knock), John Egan (foot), Chris Basham (ankle) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) remain absent.
Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery could hand new signing – Morgan Rogers a debut appearance for the club.
Nicolo Zaniolo (knock) is unlikely to feature, whilst Tyrone Mings (knee), Pau Torres (ankle), Lucas Digne, Jhon Duran (both hamstring) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield United entertain Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on Saturday 3 February in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings against Aston Villa (W2, D2, L1).
- Aston Villa have avoided defeat in three of their five Premier League visits to Sheffield Utd (W2, D1, L2).
- Sheffield Utd have scored three goals in their last two home matches against Villa without conceding (W2).
- Oli McBurnie is the only Sheffield Utd player to hit the woodwork more than once this season in the Premier League.
- Ezri Konsa has made more clearances than any other Villa player in the top-flight this season coming into this matchwek, having produced 45 clearances in 22 appearances.
Prediction
Although there is clear progress in Sheffield Utd’s attacking quality given how well they pressed Palace and clinically executed first-half counter-attacks, their defending continues to let them down so I now would like to see them work on their defending if want to start winning games.
Villa meanwhile were nullified by a disciplined Newcastle defence amidst some fast-paced attacks, whilst their own defence just looked messy whenever the Magpies got forward so there is work for Emery to do to get his team back to their clinical best.
The reverse meeting at Villa was tight but with the Blades now firing whilst Villa’s attack is faltering, this is now a banana skin game for the visitors and I wouldn’t be shocked if Sheffield Utd nick this.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Sheffield United 0-5 Aston Villa
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