Sheffield United 0 – 1 Villa

Steve Bruce named the same side that has won the last five games and failed to lose in six in the Championship as we took on Chris Wilder and his Sheffield United side.

It was the home side who started off bright as Villa looked like they were still on their holidays and were unlucky not to take the lead after six minutes.

Lee Evans crossed the ball from a corner and defender Jack O’Connell got the best of John Terry to see his header hit the bar from very close range.

United had further chances through Leon Clarke and Ryan Leonard but both failed to get the better of Sam Johnstone.

Both sides went in at half-time with the home side in full control but the game was still level.

Villa looked a little brighter the second half. Two minutes into the half Alan Hutton dribbled the ball up the line before cutting inside and shooting but his attempt was saved by the United keeper to his left.

Ten minutes later it was the turn of Jack Grealish. Birkir Bjarnason, who was again impressed, fed Grealish who carried the ball forward before cutting inside only to watch on as his shot went just wide of the right-hand post.

Just on the hour mark Sheffield United was once again denied by Johnstone. John Fleck found George Baldock whos left footed shot was saved to the left.

Bruce introduced Keinan Davis, Mile Jedinak and Josh Onomah as he looked to shut up shot but Villa had other ideas.

United allowed Robert Snodgrass to cut inside on the 90th minutes and take a left footed shot which nestled into the bottom corner of the goal.

Villa was far from there best but their work rate and determination enabled them to snatch and grab all three points. The win takes us to within one point of the automatic spots. Villa takes on Burton next at Villa Park.

THE MANAGERS

Colin Calderwood: “It was a typical Robert goal. The telling moment of the game. Credit to Sheffield United who penned us in and made us work hard.

We got through the difficult moments and this is where we have really improved. If we weren’t great we worked hard that give us a great away result.”

Chris Wilder: “From my opinion, we played well. Their goalkeeper made more saves than our goalkeeper but if they go in and its a different story. It was a good game. The game was always going to be decided by a bit of quality. That’s why their side shouldn’t be in the Championship.

Congratulations to Steve and his team. You could tell by their reaction at the end of the game that they had beaten a decent side”