Aston Villa vs Sheffield United predictions and Betting Tips
Villa Park is the stage for this Premier League encounter as Aston Villa and Sheffield United go at it on Monday. While Sheffield will be keen on replicating their performance last season, Villa will be looking towards doing better than what they produced the last term. Which side comes out on top in this massive six-pointer?
VIlla are heading into this game with a better head-to-head record having won five of the last 12 meetings against the Blades. However, they failed to register a victory over Chris Wilder's side last season, picking up only one point out of a possible six.
Villa hope to do better
Aston Villa just escaped relegation in only their first season back in the top-flight. Having been in the relegation places for most of the campaign, it looked like Villa would be heading straight back to where they came from. However, two wins and two draws in the final four games meant that they would finish in 17th place, just one point above Watford.
Team Captain Jack Grealish has committed his future to the club after penning down a new five-year contract. This, coupled with the signing of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez this window only means that Villa will be going hard this season. Will this inspire them to a top-half finish?
The Blades looking to get back to winning ways
Sheffield United hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League opener last week. The game finished 2-0 in favour of the away side much to the despair of the home supporters and players. Their defensive solidity in which they showed for much of last season was nowhere to be found as they conceded two goals in the opening six minutes. With four losses in their last four premier league games, The Blades will be heading into this game in search of all three points.
Sheffield United also failed to progress to the third round of the EFL Cup, losing to Burnley on penalties. This isn't looking good for the Blades, however, they're fully expected to bounce back from this drop of form.
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Team News
Dean Smith will have to do without Heaton, Engels, and Wesley who are all ruled out via injuries. With regards to the visitors, Mousset and Moore are the only injury casualties.
Aston Villa possible starting XI
Martinez, Taylor, Mings, Hause, El Mohamady; Luiz, Nakamba, Lansbury; El Ghazi, Grealish, Watkins
Sheffield possible starting XI
Ramsdale; Ampadu, O'Connel, Egan; Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram, Stevens; McBurnie, McGoldrick
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Prediction: 1-1
Two losses in their first two competitive games of the new season indicate struggle for the away side. This is probably due to their lack of fresh blood given their quiet doings in the transfer market. Unlike their opponents, Villa has strengthened their squad as they've brought in top players. Given that EFL Cup win, we expect to see a highly-confident side on Monday. However, we don't see any particular side coming out on top at the end of 90 minutes
