At a Glance
Aston Villa begin their Premier League campaign on Monday night, welcoming Sheffield United to Villa Park.
Dean Smith’s side had no game on the top flight’s opening weekend after Manchester City were given extra time off due to last season’s European commitments.
And they head into the game having come from behind to see off Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup as they got the 2020/21 season underway on Tuesday night.
Opponents Sheffield United lost their Premier League opener, going down 2-0 against Wolves at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder’s team enjoyed an excellent first season in the top tier last term, finishing in ninth place.
The Blades exited the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, drawing 1-1 with Burnley before losing on penalties at Turf Moor.
Standout Stats
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 13 home league meetings with Sheffield United (W7 D6), including all four games against them at Villa Park in the Premier League (W3 D1).
Aston Villa won both of their final two home league games of the 2019-20 campaign; they last won three consecutive home Premier League matches back in October 2007 under the management of Martin O’Neill.
Sheffield United are winless in six away league games (D2 L4) since beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in February. They have scored just two goals across these six outings combined. Indeed, the Blades lost four of their last five away league games of the 2019-20 season (D1), more than their previous 29 league matches on the road before this (W11 D15 L3).
Head-to-Head
Aston Villa and Sheffield United have met on 136 occasions, dating back to 1893.
The Villans have taken the spoils 63 times, drawing 33 and losing 40 times to the Blades. United are unbeaten in their last four games against Villa, winning two and drawing two.
Team News
Dean Smith confirmed at his Friday press conference that Wesley and Tom Heaton are both out of contention while Bjorn Engels is struggling with a thigh strain.
Having rested John McGinn in midweek, the Villa boss expressed his delight that the Scot is coming into the season ‘100% fit’.
For the Blades, Lys Mousset will be missing after undergoing surgery on a ligament injury in his foot.
Backup goalkeeper Simon Moore is also sidelined with a broken finger.
The Boss
"They had a fantastic season; it was their first back in the Premier League for a long time. They took a lot of teams by surprise. They’ve got to try and reproduce that. I don’t think there are going to be too many surprises for either me or Chris Wilder in terms of how we play and set-up. I’m accustomed to a lot of the players he’s got because I’ve had a few of them and sold them to Sheffield United, the likes of John Egan and Jack O’Connell."
Dean Smith
On Sheffield United
