Aston Villa is back in the win column in a big way, further darkening Sheffield United’s doorstep with a 5-0 win at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Villa shook off a 3-1 loss to Newcastle by scoring four times before halftime and once just after the break, as Ollie Watkins’ goal and two assists were joined on the score sheet by goals for John McGinn, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, and Alex Moreno.
WATCH SHEFFIELD UNITED vs ASTON VILLA FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Sheffield United continue to get ripped apart at the back despite the addition of Mason Holgate on loan from Everton, and the Blades goal differential stands at minus-40 after 23 games. To add insult to injury, the Blades had a Vinicius Souza stoppage-time goal taken off the board after a long review.
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The Blades have just 10 points, 10 away from safety with just 45 available to them the rest of the way.
Villa’s 46 points is tied for the second-highest figure on the table, though third-place Arsenal and second-place City have played one fewer and two fewer matches than the Villans.
Blades’ hopes cut deeply
Chris Wilder retook the reins of Sheffield United earlier this season and it would’ve been tempting for Blades supporters to believe their longtime hero could save a substandard squad from relegation, but most from the outside said Paul Heckingbottom was hard done-by at best and scapegoated at worst.
No one’s looking like a scapegoat now, as even new signings didn’t inject life into a Blades side that is nowhere near the level at the back. Mason Holgate was the best of a bad back five that had no clue how to keep Villa off the scoreboard.
Villa’s good, true, but Sheffield United has to find a lot of points from a daunting run of fixtures. Can you get them to 30 — 20 more points — off of the following list? How about 35? Luton (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Arsenal (H), Bournemouth (A), Man Utd (A), Fulham (H), Liverpool (A), Chelsea (H), Brentford (A), Burnley (H), Newcastle (A), Forest (H), Everton (A), Tottenham (H).
Maybe, but not on the evidence of this back line and goalkeeper, which have been huge parts of conceding nearly 60 goals through 23 matches.
What’s next?
Sheffield United have a monumental, do-or-die type of match versus Luton Town at 10am ET Saturday, while Villa wait until 11:30am ET Sunday, Feb. 11 to host Manchester United.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa updates, final score: 0-5
Goal: McGinn (12'), Watkins (16'), Bailey (20'), Tielemans (30'), Moreno (47')
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Youri Tielemans goal (video)
Absolutely smashed — this goal and Sheffield United.
Leon Bailey goal (video)
Watkins leads the rush, and Sheffield United shows Leon Bailey room.
He accepts the invitation to shift onto his left foot, and Foderingham is helpless. 3-0.
Ollie Watkins goal (video)
Watkins has his goal now, and Blades appear melted just 16 minutes into the game.
It’s a counter attack and Watkins blazes past Rhys Norrington-Davies and cuts his shot past Foderingham.
John McGinn goal (video)
Ollie Watkins gets behind the line and is 1v1 with Wes Foderingham, and the Blades keeper gets enough of Watkins’ chip to allow a goal line clearance.
But no one’s tracking the rebound as feverishly as John McGinn, who races onto the loose ball for a super easy finish.
How to watch Sheffield United vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:30pm ET, Saturday (February 3)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Sheffield United lineup
Team news v Villa! 🗞️#SHUAVL || @premierleague pic.twitter.com/JTq3Vral7p
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 3, 2024
Aston Villa lineup
Your Aston Villa team at Bramall Lane. 👊 pic.twitter.com/BRgnKhhxtO
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 3, 2024
Sheffield United focus, team news
OUT: Ivo Grbic (concussion), John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), George Baldock (undisclosed), Rhian Brewster (suspended) | QUESTIONABLE: Tom Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (undisclosed)
Aston Villa focus, team news
OUT: Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Bertrand Traore (international duty), Jhon Duran (undisclosed), Pau Torres (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Lucas Digne (thigh), Nicolo Zaniolo (undisclosed)
