Sheffield United vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Sheffield United FC 0 - 5 Aston Villa FC
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:37
Aston Villa have stormed back into the top four of the Premier League with a 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Villains suffered their first home defeat in almost a year in midweek against Newcastle, but have issued the perfect response. Unai Emery's men did the majority of the damage in the first half, scoring four goals in 30 minutes. John McGinn broke the deadlock before Ollie Watkins produced a clinical finish for the second. Leon Bailey and Youri Tieleman then added super strikes of their own. After the break, Alex Moreno notched a fifth with a fine volley to cap the performance for the visitors. VAR denied the Blades a consolation goal in stoppage time to chalk off Vinicius Souza's effort, which summed up a torrid game for Chris Wilder's men. Sheffield United face a huge game against Luton on the road in their next outing, while Villa take on Chelsea in a fourth-round replay in the FA Cup at Villa Park on Wednesday.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:31
FULL-TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-5 ASTON VILLA
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:31
Villa are knocking the ball around with ease. It has been another cruel lesson for the Blades in the Premier League this season.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:29
The Villa fans are making all the noise at Bramall Lane. It has been a dominant performance from start to finish from the visitors.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:27
The check by VAR took three minutes, so the Blades' agony will be prolonged here.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:27
There will be five minutes of added time.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:27
VAR! DISALLOWED GOAL! Souza has the ball in the back of the net as he converts Robinson's cutback following a neat free-kick from Hamer. But, the Blades' joy is short lived as VAR deems that Robinson is offside in the build-up. That sums up the hosts' night.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:23
Ahmedhodzic is brought down in the final third and it hands the Blades a free-kick in a useful position.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:22
Assist Jack Robinson
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:21
Hamer is the latest Blade to take on a strike from the angle on the left flank, but Martinez beats his effort away from danger.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:21
Archer surges into the Villa box, but he stumbles at the last second as he tries to get a shot away. His delay allows Carlos to get across and block his eventual shot.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:19
OVER! Rogers misses a chance to notch a debut goal. Cash and Diaby combine down the right flank and latter sends a cutback into the middle. Rogers drifts into space and meets the ball first time, only to clear the bar with his strike.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:17
Osborn is played into space down the left flank and he has options in the middle. He places a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but no red and white shirt is there to convert.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:17
Villa have stepped off the gas in the last 10 minutes. Their pressing has been excellent throughout the game, but they've just started to allow the Blades space in their half.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:12
Substitution Youri Marion A. Tielemans Morgan Elliot Rogers
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:11
That Sheffield United miss will be a concern for Emery. Villa conceded two cheap goals against Newcastle in their defeat in midweek and were exposed there.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:10
OFF THE LINE AND SAVE! Sheffield United threaten from the resulting corner as Robinson rises to meet Hamer's cross. Watkins clear the ball off the line before the Blades regain possession. Hamer sends another delivery into the middle that Robinson steers towards goal, but on this occasion Martinez makes a brilliant reaction stop.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:09
Archer has the chance to get a consolation goal, but Carlos is on hand to clear his low ball across the face of goal behind.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:08
Ramsey plays Tielemans into acres of space in the final third and he has two men in support, but goes himself and loses possession. Diaby and Watkins are not impressed.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:08
The Blades have a rare spell of possession, but Archer has to clear the ball into touch to prevent Osborn's throughball from going behind for a goal-kick.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:04
SAVE! Tielemans feeds Diaby in the right-inside channel and he skips past two challenges before cutting back on his left foot to fire at goal, but Foderingham beats away his attempt.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:02
Substitution James John McAtee Thomas Davies
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:02
After a stellar first half, Emery takes the chance to withdrawn Luiz to replace him with Ramsey. Villa don't need to take any risks.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:02
Substitution John McGinn Timothy Emeka Iroegbunam
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:01
Watkins drives into space down the left flank and sends a dangerous cutback into the middle that Robinson clears ahead of Diaby. Every time Watkins gets the ball he's a threat.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
19:01
For a team that have won only one of their last five in the Premier League, Villa have been outstanding. They're going back into the top four in emphatic fashion.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:55
Whereas the Blades have been passive in their pressing, Villa have been aggressive in their approach and have given the hosts no time on the ball.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:55
Substitution Benjamin Anthony Brereton Díaz Cameron Desmond Archer
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:55
Brereton Diaz almost finds space down the right flank, but the pressure arrives from Lenglet and Moreno to ensure the attack is halted.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:51
Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Moussa Diaby
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:51
Konsa is going to have to make way as he applauds the Villa fans from the touchline.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:51
Substitution Ezri Konsa Ngoyo Matthew Stuart Cash
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:50
Konsa remains down after the fact as he collided with the post in his attempt the head the ball. He requires treatment and may be withdrawn given the scoreline.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:49
CLOSE! Ramsey draws a foul from Holgate and it gives the chance for Bailey to lift a cross to the back post. Konsa attacks the delivery, but he just fails to connect amid Trusty's boot that edges it behind.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:47
It's all Villa at the moment and the visitors look hungry to add to the scoreline. They're looking to take advantage of a United side, whose confidence is rock bottom.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:45
Watkins is the first player to register double figures for both goals (11) and assists (10) in the Premier League this season. What a season for the forward!
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:44
Bogle latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Villa box and connects sweetly on the volley, but Martinez watches his effort sail wide of the left post.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:42
Norrington-Davies has had a torrid time on his first Premier League start and is replaced by Robinson.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:42
Osborn replaces Brooks in the Sheffield United midfield. Brooks was overwhelmed by Villa's quality in the middle of the park.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:39
Goal Alexandre Moreno Lopera
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:37
We're back under way at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:36
Substitution William Idamudia Daugaard Osula Gustavo Martin Emilio Hamer
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:27
Although United were terrible, Villa were excellent in punishing the hosts on the counter. Douglas Luiz and Watkins were outstanding with their distribution, while all three finishes outside of McGinn's were exceptional. Villa only have a expected goals rating of 1.7, highlighting the quality we've seen in the final third. In a tight battle for the top four, they'll be keen to boost their goal difference in the second half.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:25
Aston Villa put forward a dominant display in the first half to take a 4-0 lead into the break against Sheffield United. John McGinn opened the scoring with a tap-in after Ollie Watkins struck the post, but Watkins soon got his goal with a precise finish. The forward then turned provider for Leon Bailey to find the net with a stunner and Youri Tielemans continued the onslaught with a rocket off the underside of the bar. Villa were sublime, while the Blades were all over the place at the back. Chris Wilder's men were booed off and he faces a major challenge on his hands to prevent this defeat becoming even more humiliating for his team.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:21
HALF-TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-4 ASTON VILLA
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:20
Tielemans drives through the middle of the United midfield and tries to find Watkins with a neat pass, but the ball travels through to Foderingham.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:19
It's all to easy for Villa on the ball. The fans in the away end are bringing out the ole's.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:19
There will be four minutes of added time.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:16
Bailey produces a sublime backheel to evade Norrington-Davies down the right flank and he sends a dangerous low ball across the face of goal that Ahmedhodzic does well to clear.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:15
Yellow Card Jayden Ian Bogle
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:13
Moreno goes for the give-and-go with McGinn, but Bogle does well to get his body between the Villa left-back and the ball to win a free-kick.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:13
Trusty has to act on the edge of the United box to prevent Bailey from latching onto yet another through ball. The defender clears into touch.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:10
Sheffield United have changed their shape to become more compact in the middle of the park. It's far too late to alter the result, but they just need to stop the flow of goals.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:06
There are a lot of empty seats in the home end at Bramall Lane. It has been a harrowing half of football for all connected to the Blades.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:05
Aston Villa are the first team to score four goals or more in the opening 30 minutes of a Premier League away game since Chelsea vs Bolton in October 2011.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:04
OVER! Bailey turns the ball around the corner to Watkins, who goes for first-time lob over Foderingham. However, he lifts his effort harmlessly over the bar.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:03
OFF THE LINE! Tielemans latches onto a precise cross from Luiz after a clever corner routine. He takes a touch and hammers his effort into the ground. It beats Foderingham, but Vinicius is in the right place at the right time to head it off the line and over the bar.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:01
Goal Youri Marion A. Tielemans
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
18:01
There is an air of apathy around Bramall Lane. Some fans have already headed for the exits. It could be a long night for Wilder and his team.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:58
Panic stations again for the home side at the back. Bailey feeds Konsa, who turns inside a challenge, but sees his effort blocked by Foderingham before McAtee clears behind.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:58
WIDE! Holgate rises to attack McAtee's dangerous delivery on his left foot, but glances his header wide of the left post. He may have been offside anyway.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:57
Moreno brings down Osula on the right flank, handing the Blades a free-kick in a useful position.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:57
This is just the third time in Premier League history Aston Villa have been 3-0 up in the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League game after August 2003 against Leicester and October 2022 against Brentford.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:53
Assist Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:52
Goal Leon Patrick Bailey Butler
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:52
Only Gabriel Agbonlahor (40) has scored more Premier League away goals for Aston Villa than Watkins (23, level with Dwight Yorke)
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:48
Assist Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:48
Villa find space down the right flank and threaten the Blades defence, but Bailey's cross is repelled to give the home side respite for now.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:44
WIDE! Watkins turns in the final third and offloads to Bailey on the edge of the box. The winger turns inside and shoots on his left foot, but places his effort just past the left post.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:43
Goal John McGinn
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:43
SAVE! Brereton Diaz latches onto Trusty's ball over the top and he surges into the inside-left channel. He goes for goal with a low strike that Martinez fumbles, but gathers at the second attempt.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:40
Luiz floats a ball over the top searching for Watkins behind the Blades defence. The ball takes a kind bounce towards Foderingham, allowing the keeper to gather.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:38
Luiz attempts an ambitious strike from 35 yards, but his effort trickles into the hands of Foderingham. The Blades keeper has made five errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, but he was making no mistake with that one.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:37
OVER! Bailey rolls the ball to McGinn to power an effort at goal on his left foot, only to launch his attempt well over the bar.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:37
Vinicius brings down Watkins in the Sheffield United half. Villa have the chance to threaten from the resulting set-piece.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:35
Brereton Diaz and Norrington-Davies combine down the left flank, allowing the latter to break into the box. Norrington-Davies goes for the cutback, but sees his cross cleared by Carlos.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:35
There's almost a chance for Osula to latch onto a deflection in the Villa box, but Martinez is alert to gather ahead of the forward.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:32
We're under way at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:31
Although Sheffield United have struggled this season, there is cause for optimism ahead of kick-off. The Blades have won their last three meetings against Villa at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:31
Villa have made two changes from their loss to Newcastle last time out. Diaby makes way in the final third for Bailey, while Carlos slots into the backline to replace Cash. Konsa will kick out to full-back, while Carlos partners Lenglet in the middle. Cash and Diaby are both options off the bench.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:29
Wilder has made five changes to his side that were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace during the week. Deadline day signing Holgate makes his debut in the back three, while Foderingham replaces the injured Ivo Grbic. Brooks, Norrington-Davies and Osula all come into the fold. Hamer and Robinson drop to the bench and McBurnie and Anis Ben Slimane miss out.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:24
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Matty Cash, Calum Chambers, Moussa Diaby, Robin Olsen, Morgan Rogers, Kaine Kessler, Jacob Ramsey, Tim Iroegbunam, James Wright.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:24
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Clement Lenglet, Alex Moreno; Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara; Leon Bailey, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans; Ollie Watkins.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:18
SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS: Gustavo Hamer, Cameron Archer, Ollie Norwood, Jack Robinson, Tom Davies, Ben Osborn, Ryan One, Yasser Larouci, Jordan Amissah.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:18
SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-4-3): Wes Foderingham; Mason Holgate, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty; Jayden Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Andre Brooks, Rhys Norrington-Davies; James McAtee, William Osula, Ben Brereton Diaz.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:18
Aston Villa's Premier League title ambitions have taken a huge hit in recent weeks. Unai Emery's side were well in contention in December, but since the draw with the Blades, Villa have won only one of their last four. Defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle have knocked them off the pace of the leader and out of the top four, although they can leapfrog Tottenham back into the Champions League places with a win.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:13
The Blades are winless in their last six Premier League games, but did earn a point on the road in the reverse fixture at Villa Park. Chris Wilder's men were minutes away from a vital win, only to concede at the death to Nicolo Zaniolo's strike. They did earn a point in their last home match against West Ham as Ollie McBurnie fired in a stoppage-time penalty. But, with games running out to save themselves, United could do with three points today.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
17:04
Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United vs Aston Villa
16:30
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
