Player Grades: Aston Villa, Sheffield United fight in crazy, wild draw

DERBY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa shows his frustration during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
DERBY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa shows his frustration during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

It all started out with a flash, but it ended in darkness. Aston Villa drew Sheffield United 2-2 at home after surrendering a two-goal lead in the first-half.

Aston Villa supporters can’t have nice things, especially during the holiday season.

A record crowd at Villa Park enjoyed a 2-0 lead for all of three minutes until the claret and blues self-imploded. Villa opened the scoring through Albert Adomah, who blasted a penalty past Blades’ goalkeeper Simon Moore. Keinan Davis won the spot kick after a rough tackle in the box.

The match got even better as Robert Snodgrass placed a perfectly-weighted set piece onto Mile Jedinak’s head for Villa’s second in the eighth minute. It didn’t last long. Clayton Donaldson scored his first of the evening three minutes after on an inconspicuous long-ball, beating Jedinak for pace.

Jedinak must have been feeling generous, because he gifted United an early Christmas present in the 25th-minute: The equalizer.

Without further ado, player grades below:

All data provided by WhoScored match center.

Aston Villa go again on Boxing Day against Brentford.