Aston Villa will face Sheffield United for the second time this season, this time away at Bramall Lane on the evening kick off on Wednesday.
Sheffield United come into this game after losing 2-0 at home to the current champions Liverpool, and also lost their two previous Premier League games to West Ham United and Fulham respectively. The Blades currently find themselves rock bottom of the table, and are many punters favorites to be playing their trade in the Championship next season.
Aston Villa are looking to extend a winning run, after beating Leeds United 0-1 at Elland Road last week. The Villans are sat in a comfortable 9th place, but still maintain two games in hand over many of the clubs around them. Dean Smith will be looking to get another three points on the board, which could take his side into 8th place, leapfrogging Tottenham.
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Team News
It's a nightmare scenario for the United boss Chris Wilder, who's entire back three of John Egan, Jack O'connell and Chris Basham are all sidelined for this match. Jayden Bogle and Jack Robinson will also be missing out, leaving Wilder with a severe lack of defensive options.
Dean Smith confirmed that the Villa captain Jack Grealish is not going to be available for selection for this game, and won't be travelling with the squad. Matty Cash is also still absent, but Ahmed Elmohamady stepped up excellently in his place against Leeds and will be looking to do the same again.
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Predicted Lineups
Sheffield United: Ramsdale, Ampadu, Jagielka, Bryan;,Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Mousset, Sharp.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Targett, Mings, Konsa, Elmohamady, Nakamba, McGinn, J. Ramsey, El Ghazi, Traore, Watkins.
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Previous Meetings
The last time these sides met ended up in Villa taking all three points courtesy of a rare Ezri Konsa goal. Emi Martinez also saved a penalty on his home debut, and set precedent for what has turned out to be an incredible first season for the Argentinian.
Before this, United fell victims to a Hawkeye error at Villa Park and saw a clear goal not given. Villa went on to get a point from the game and ultimately survived by one point on the final day.
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Ones to Watch
Billy Sharp has scored goals for fun wherever he has played. Always a danger in front of goal, Villa are going to have to defend resiliently to stop the striker from adding to his goal tally of five. Sharp also loves a goal against the Villa, he scored a hat trick against Smith's side at Villa Park, but after some very late drama the game ended 3-3.
Jacob Ramsey may only be 19 years of age, but he looks every bit a Premier League player. Learning from one of the best in the industry in Jack Grealish can only be a good thing, and we see glimpses of this when Ramsey gets the ball. He started in the last game against Leeds, and played a blinder before being replaced late on. Expect this young lad to get better and better with every kick of a ball.
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Where to Watch
BT Sports Subscription holders will be able to watch the game live at 18:00pm on Wednesday evening.