Blades and Aston Villa In Six Pointer at Bramall Lane

Bramall Lane will be rocking as seventh-placed Sheffield United entertain fifth-placed Aston Villa. If December’s fixture at Villa Park is anything to go by, goals and entertainment should be plentiful.

Confidence will be high for Aston Villa as they go in search of a fifth consecutive win in the Championship. Since reaching the nadir at Brentford, Aston Villa have gone on a run in the league including 1-0 away wins at Middlesborough and Nottingham Forest.

Sheffield United’s form since December 23rd has been patchy. An FA Cup run has masked disappointing home form where the Blades haven’t scored at home since Boxing Day. Victory at Norwich last time out has kept touch with the playoff places.

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Sheffield United Manager Chris Wilder celebrates victory during the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Sheffield United at Carrow Road on January 20, 2018 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Sheffield United have been busy in the transfer window. They have signed James Wilson (on loan from Manchester United), Lee Evans from Wolves and Ryan Leonard from Southend. Wilson could face his Manchester United colleague Axel Tuanzebe. He will be a handful alongside Leon Clarke and will be buoyed by his goal at Norwich.

Aston Villa’s tormentor from December, Clayton Donaldson, will probably be used as an impact sub. This worked effectively at Carrow Road as he bagged the second goal after replacing Wilson. John Terry and James Chester will need to be at their best to keep this impressive Blades attack at bay.

Next: Aston Villa’s Flurry of Youth Signings: Just Let Them Get On!

The change in form for Aston Villa is partly attributable to the form of Birkir Bjarnason, Scott Hogan and Jack Grealish. Separately, they have fired the engine for the rest of the team to motor on. Hogan and Grealish have been too hot to handle for defences in January. Despite their form, no team has scored more than one goal against Sheffield United since the draw at Villa Park. This will be a good test for Aston Villa’s front line.

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /

Bjarnason’s form has been such a revelation that it’s tantamount to signing a new player. The Icelandic midfielder has given Bruce the steely defensive midfielder he craves. He’s also brought another supply channel for the forwards. You would expect this to continue against the Blades.

Aston Villa’s last visit to Sheffield United was an FA Cup game in 2011 where Stan Petrov topped off a fine 3-1 with the last goal. Both teams have changed unrecognisably since that match. In fact, Aston Villa’s team has changed since December 23rd where Jedinak and Davis were trying to patch gaps through injury.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 @ 7:45pm GMT / 2:45pm EST

WHERE: Bramall Lane

PREDICTION: 2-1 Aston Villa victory

Another away win would put tremendous pressure on their rivals. Sheffield United should have been beaten at Villa Park. Form suggests that this is more than a remote possibility. Dropping points wouldn’t be a disaster but the rich vein of form suggests all three points are there for the taking.

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