Aston Villa vs Sheffield: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :December 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Modified at :December 27, 2023 at 5:50 PM

The Villans can go up top with a win on Premier League’s matchday 18 encounter

There was no stopping the ambitions of Aston Villa on Matchday 17 of the Premier League. At the Gtech Community Stadium, they were up against Brentford. The Villans realised another win to keep them level on points with Liverpool and just a point off leaders Arsenal. At Villa Park, Unai Emery has a matchday 18 fixture to deal with bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder has been at the helm of the Blades for just two weeks. In that time, he has been on the touchline for 3 PL games. Under Wilder, the South Yorkshire club have scored just one goal in the matter of 270 minutes. The goal though gave them all 3 points against Brentford. After losing to Chelsea, the last game which was on the road, Sheffield will be heading to the fortress called Villa Park.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 22 December 2023 at 8:00 PM UK

Saturday, 23 December 2023 at 1:30 AM IST

Location: Villa Park

Form

Aston Villa (in all competitions): W-D-W-W-D

Sheffield (in all competitions): L-W-L-L-L

Players to Watch

Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

The Brazilian central midfielder is reportedly worth £100 million for a reason. As per Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are showing high interest in the Aston Villa star and might try to lure the player in the upcoming transfer windows. So far in 16 PL appearances this season, the player has 5 goals and 2 assists.

Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield)

In the game against the Blues, Oliver McBurnie was often left isolated and without support from his teammates. Still, the player was doing well while trying to hold the ball in the final third. Only a matter of time before the former Scotland international finds the back of the net again. So far he has 2 goals and one assist in 9 league games.

Match Facts

The home side can go top of the table with a win
The visitors sit bottom of the PL table. And have lost 4 out of their last 5 games in the league
Under Unai Emery, Villa Park has been a fortress for the PL games this season. 8 PL home games – 8 wins. This even includes victories against Man City and Arsenal in consecutive PL games

Injury & Team News

Boubacar Kamara was sent off last game so will be unavailable due to suspension. Midfielder Youri Tielemans is a doubt for the match. Bertrand Traoré will still need a few more days to be back. Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are expected to make returns in 2024 in February and April respectively.

For the Blades, Ismaila Cheick Coulibaly and Rhian Brewster remain a doubt. Rhys Norrington-Davies and Daniel Jebbison have a few more days of treatment left. Centre back John Egan is expected to be back by month end. A knee injury sustained by defensive midfielder Tom Davies in October start will keep him out till February 2024. Chris Basham’s return is reportedly expected around June 2024.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 10

Aston Villa wins – 3

Sheffield wins – 4

Draws – 3

Predicted Lineup

Aston Villa predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Martínez (GK); Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Dendoncker, Luiz, McGinn; Bailey, Watkins

Sheffield predicted lineup (4-1-4-1):

Foderingham (GK); Bogle, Ahmedhodžić, Trusty, Lowe; Souza; McAtee, Hamer, Brooks, Archer; McBurnie

Match Prediction for Aston Villa vs Sheffield

Sheffield United have lined up at the wrong time for a showdown against Aston Villa. Not only will the match be played at Villa Park but the Villans also will be playing with all their desire to go up top in the 2023-24 Premier League table. And what better than getting the chance to do it in front of their own fans.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Sheffield

Telecast for Aston Villa vs Sheffield

India – Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar

UK – Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video

US – NBC, USA Network, Peacock

Nigeria – SuperSport, NTA, Canal+ Afrique

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