Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates from Villa Park where Aston Villa host Sheffield United in Premier League action. 

HALF TIME

The whistle sounds to signal the end of the first half.

So far, the Premier League’s worst defence have held out a side hell-bent on topping the table on Christmas Day.

To their credit, they’re doing it brilliantly.

Villa have struggled to create and been reliant on hopeful balls floated forward and several dangerous John McGinn corners.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

We will have two additional minutes to round off the half.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Chris Wilder will be delighted with his side’s work so far.

They’re sitting deep inside their own half in a 5-4-1 shape, closing down the spaces and moving the ball forward when they can.

Villa will have to be creative to break down this block.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder reacts REUTERS/Molly Darlington NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Back to the action on the field, Villa are continuing to probe.

The hosts worked the ball across to Matty Cash near the byline on this near side, but his attempted cutback was hacked out.

Sheffield United are compacting that box. There’s no room to move.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Hands up… who has one of these?

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 General view of an Aston Villa manager Unai Emery inspired Christmas jumper REUTERS/Molly Darlington NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Jacob Ramsey slotted a pass through to Moussa Diaby, and for a second at least it felt like the net would finally ripple.

The winger danced inside onto his left foot but was tackled at the death. Half-hearted penalty appeals went up but nothing was given.

We remain goalless at Villa Park.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

The visitors are really under the cosh now.

Villa are moving the ball down the channels quickly and pumping in deliveries for the likes of Ollie Watkins and runners at the far posts

So far, Chris Wilder’s side are standing firm and repelling everything.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Over the top from Ollie Watkins!

Villa won another corner and again, the delivery was a beauty from John McGinn, who looked for the far post area.

The ball was half cleared to the edge of the box and Watkins, under pressure, fired over the crossbar while slightly off balance.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Here’s a stat that shows how dominant Villa have been so far.

The hosts have completed 167 successful passes.

The visitors’ total, you ask? Just 12.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

A rare breakaway down the other end for the visitors.

Andre Brooks did his utmost to hold the ball up and create danger, but he was shuttered out, with Villa taking the ball back quickly.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Just over! Villa should really be in front.

John McGinn clipped an inviting corner toward the far post, with Ezri Konsa steaming through a crowd to meet it with his head.

He was on the stretch but could only guide his effort over the top.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Chance! Villa broke away at speed and fed Moussa Diaby down this near side, with his low effort beaten away at the front post.

Shouts then went up for another penalty appeal – the third of the evening so far – but nothing was given.

Jack Robinson was certainly struck in a potential handball incident, but he was grounded and knew nothing about it.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby in action with Sheffield United's Jack Robinson Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

This game has settled into a rhythm now.

Villa are dominating the ball, whipping the crowd into a frenzy, but the visitors have held firm with a deep, compact defensive line.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Another VAR check for a possible Villa penalty! Again, nothing is given.

That would have been very harsh.

This time, the check was for a potential handball.

General view of a VAR check for a possible penalty from a handball during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Friday December 22, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Villa want a penalty! VAR are checking.

Lucas Digne delivered a cross toward the back post for Ollie Watkins.

The striker rose up at the back post and went to ground under pressure from Vinicius Souza. There was a little shirt grab, too.

Nothing was awarded.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Sheffield United's Vini Souza in action with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Villa are certainly looking sharp going forward.

Leon Bailey plucked the ball out of the sky and took on Yasser Larouci before laying off to Moussa Diaby.

Diaby looked to creep his way down to the byline, but the ball was seen out of play by the stubborn visitors.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

John McGinn, popping up in a deeper role, sprayed a quarterback-like pass over the top in search of Ollie Watkins.

The striker was in, but Wes Foderingham collected ahead of him.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

Wide! Douglas Luiz ran over the ball and flicked back for Lucas Digne.

The full back then looked to curl one but bent wide of the far post.

Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United

The visitors flew out of the blocks right from the kick-off, but Cameron Archer was unable to wriggle his way out of danger in the area.

At the other end, Villa have been awarded a very promising free-kick.

Brilliant play from Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby saw Auston Trusty tempted out, and he fouled the latter right on the edge of the box.

KICK OFF!

We’re underway!

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz in action with Sheffield United's Cameron Archer REUTERS/Molly Darlington NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

The teams are out!

Here come the players, accompanied by fireworks and pyro.

Let’s do this.

Pre-match spectacle

The atmosphere is really building at Villa Park.

The crowd has just been treated to a pretty nifty light show ahead of kick-off, with anticipation whipping from stand to stand.

It feels like the magnitude of this one has really hit home now.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 General view during a pre match light show inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

It’s almost time!

The players have been gearing up out in the cold for this one.

Make sure you’ve wrapped up warm, everyone…

Ten minutes until we get underway!

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.
Sheffield United's Cameron Archer and Jack Robinson warming up prior to kick-off before the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Friday December 22, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Souness: Five-team title race a treat

Graeme Souness’ latest column is live! Here is an extract…

Before this season, it seemed like the Premier League was turning into a fight for Middle Eastern superiority, as Qatar looked to join Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia on our map with their bid to buy Manchester United.

It has not turned out that way in the first five months – and not only because Qatar failed to get the keys to Old Trafford.

The top of the table is wide open at the half-way stage, with a handful of points separating the top five clubs.

As usual, the Premier League is making fools of those who lazily presumed that just because Liverpool hammered Manchester United 7-0 last season, they would do the same again this time.

To read the full column, click the link below!

Wilder: Blades in ‘difficult situation’

Chris Wilder, speaking to Sky Sports…

They’re short in terms of their Premier League experience and we’re in a difficult situation. It doesn’t come any easier does it – Liverpool at home, Brentford and Chelsea away and now at Villa on a run of 15 out of 15.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield United enjoys the pre match talk to Sky Tv's pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville before the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park on December 22, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by SportImage/Sheffield United FC via Getty Images)

Emery: We are motivated

Unai Emery, speaking to Sky Sports…

Of course, we are excited and motivated. Always we are strong here. We want to respect the opponent and the position we are in now. We are not going to refuse the three points to be up there. We want to enjoy the moment.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 22, 2023 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is interviewed before the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

In the building!

Five in for visitors

Sheffield United have made no less than five changes.

George Baldock, Jack Robinson, Yasser Larouci, Anis Slimane and Oliver Norwood have all been handed starts by Chris Wilder.

Dropping out are Anel Ahmedhodzic, Max Lowe, James McAtee, Gustavo Hamer and Oli McBurnie.

Villa changes

Unai Emery has made four changes to the side that beat Brentford.

There is also a formation switch, with the back four returning tonight.

Douglas Luiz is in, replacing the suspended Boubacar Kamara, while Clement Lenglet has been recalled to partner Ezri Konsa.

Lucas Digne will line up at left back.

Sheffield United team news

Starting XI: Foderingham, Bogle, Baldock, Robinson, Trusty, Larouci, Norwood, Souza, Slimane, Archer, Brooks

Substitutes: Davies, Lowe, Fleck, Hamer, McBurnie, Traore, Thomas, Osborn, McAtee

Aston Villa team news

Starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne, Bailey, McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey, Diaby, Watkins

Substitutes: Marschall, Carlos, Moreno, Chambers, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, O’Reilly

Early team news

Douglas Luiz and Lucas Digne are both available for Villa tonight, but Boubacar Kamara is out as he begins his three-match suspension.

Pau Torres has been ruled out, with Youri Tielemans also absent.

For the visitors, Jack Robinson is back in contention.

Chris Wilder is without six players in total for this trip.

The full team news will drop at 7pm GMT.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: General view outside the stadium as fans arrive prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park on December 22, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Emery’s warning

Unai Emery has told his Aston Villa players to avoid complacency.

I have to try to keep the same motivation and the same preparation for the matches as we have been doing. I can remind them and myself of some matches we played before we started winning.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Glory beckons…

What an early Christmas present tonight could be for Villa.

A victory would push them to the top of the Premier League table ahead of the other matches this weekend.

As it stands, they are one point behind leaders Arsenal.

The last time Villa were top at this stage of a season? January 1999.

Three points for Villa would also guarantee them a top-two spot on Christmas Day.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Unai Emery of Aston Villa celebrates at the end of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Good evening!

Hello, all! Is everyone up for a spot of Friday Night Football?

I know I am.

Welcome along to Mail Sport’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Sheffield United. A win would send the hosts top. Yes, really.

Imagine offering Unai Emery that at the start of the season…

General view from inside the stadium before the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Friday December 22, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Key Updates

  • Sheffield United team news
  • Aston Villa team news
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