Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United: Predicted XI at Villa Park

Aston Villa host 3rd-place Sheffield United on Friday night. Can the claret and blues close the play-off gap?

Villa host Scott Hogan’s new club Sheffield United under the lights of Villa Park on Friday.

And though the Villa striker will not take part in this match, Blades have two other forwards worth watching. Veteran pairing Billy Sharp, 33, and David McGoldrick, 31, combine for the most goals between teammates in the EFL Championship. Sharp’s 19 goals rivals Tammy Abraham’s record while McGoldrick carries another 11 tallies. Together, the pair score relentlessly against opposing defenses in their 3-5-2 formation under manager Chris Wilder.

Blades rely on continuity for their success; 9 player have accumulated 2,000+ minutes in league play this season with two more over the 1,000 barrier. By now, clubs should be familiar with what Sheffield bring to the pitch. Villa lost to United 4-1 back in September (at Bramall Lane).

Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kalinic; Hutton, Elphick, Mings, Taylor; Whelan, McGinn, Hourihane; El Ghazi, Abraham, Kodjia.

Substitutes: Steer, Hause, Elmohamady, Jedinak, Carroll, Adomah, Davis.

I can’t see Dean Smith changing too much.

Jack Grealish is targeting a return date of late February from his shin injury. André Green, Henri Lansbury, and James Chester were all ruled out last weekend. As such, with one less day to prepare than normal, they will more than likely not be involved on Friday.

The attack has been missing something in recent weeks. Perhaps including Jonathan Kodjia from the start will add another element – both in the final third, and in set pieces. In other Villa news, Tyrone Mings will not face discipline for cleating Reading forward Nelson Oliveira in the face last weekend.

WHEN: 8 February, 2019

WHERE: Villa Park

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw (Mings, McGinn)