Aston Villa settle for late, dramatic draw despite total domination of Sheffield United
Aston Villa stumbled and scrapped their way to a last-minute 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table (no longer) Sheffield United on Friday, as Unai Emery's side frantically battled back to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
[ MORE: 2023-24 Premier League festive fixtures - who, when and where? ]
A victory would have sent Aston Villa top of the Premier League table heading into the weekend, and every facet of the game seemed to indicate they would be victorious, but Chris Wilder's side was up for a fight and came within 180 seconds of a season-defining win of their own.
As things stand, the Blades (9 points) are no longer bottom, now level on points with 18th-place Luton Town, but still five back of Nottingham Forest just outside the relegation zone. Aston Villa (39 points), on the other hand, shouldn't (but probably will) be disappointed to sit 2nd, behind Arsenal on goal difference.
Villa looked like they finally taking the lead in the 59th minute, as Ollie Watkins' cross found Leon Bailey and the Jamaican international hammered the ball into the top corner to send the home faithful into raptures — and top of the league. The goal didn't stand up to video review, though, as Jacob Ramsey was penalized for holding the arm of Wes Foderingham earlier in the passage of play, preventing the goalkeeper from making an easy catch of a cross.
Instead, as Aston Villa struggled mightily find a fair, legal way through Sheffield United's resolute, desperate defense, it was the Blades — by way of a former Villa man, signed just this summer — who broke the deadlock and looked as if they would take all three points. Gustavo Hamer danced down the end line in the 87th minute and picked out Cameron Archer, who applied the deft finish, with a cut-back cross at the top of the six.
Alas, a thrilling final few minutes ended in heartbreak and/or frustration for both sides, as Foderingham came out to punch Douglas Luiz's cross but was beaten to the ball by Nicolo Zaniolo. The Italian flicked his header over Foderingham to snatch a 96th-minute equalizer and ensure no one left Villa Park happy.
So nearly highway robbery of the highest order
At the time of the goal, Aston Villa had completed more than 500 (at 88 percent) passes, compared to less than 100 (61 percent) for Sheffield United. The Blades' possession total stood at just 21 percent, yet the xG difference was a much slimmer 0.53-0.11. Was it perhaps (nearly) the start of Sheffield United's dramatic survival story, and/or a bitter blow Villa's PL title challenge? Only time will tell, but either way the Premier League’s festive fixtures are off to a sensational start.
What’s next?
Aston Villa will be back in action on Boxing Day (3 pm ET), when they head to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Sheffield United will host fellow relegation battlers Luton Town at Bramall Lane earlier on Tuesday (10 am ET).
Player ratings - Aston Villa vs Sheffield United
Aston Villa vs Sheffield United, final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Cameron Archer (87'), Nicolo Zaniolo (90'+6)
87th minute - GOAL - Cameron Archer stuns his former team to make it 1-0
90th minute +6 - GOAL - Nicolo Zaniolo heads home to steal a point late on
How to watch Aston Villa vs Sheffield United, stream link, TV channel
Kickoff: 3pm ET Friday
Odds: Villa (-500) vs Blades (+1200) | Draw (+600)
TV Channel: USA Network
Stream: Watch online via NBCSports.com
Aston Villa starting lineup
Martinez — Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne — Bailey, Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn — Diaby, Watkins
Sheffield United starting lineup
Foderingham — Bogle, Robinson, Trusty, Larouci — Slimane, Baldock, Souza, Norwood, Brooks — Archer
Focus on Aston Villa, team news
Ollie Watkins is fifth in the Premier League for goals this season, and has the second-most assists in the division.
OUT: Pau Torres (undisclosed), Youri Tielemans (undisclosed), Boubacar Kamara (suspension), Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Bertrand Traore (undisclosed), Robin Olsen (knock)
Focus on Sheffield United, team news
Oliver Norwood's closing in on 250 appearances for Blades, and his work in the center of the park is very important to Wilder's goals of bringing the team above the line.
OUT: John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), Tom Davies (thigh), Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhian Brewster (thigh), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh)
