England Premier League
Monday 21st September 2020
Kick off at 6pm BST
Venue: Villa Park
Match Preview:
There are two games on Monday evening with Premier League games still be staggered since the pandemic. Aston Villa will take on Sheffield United in the first early evening kick off.
Because of how the games have played out Aston Villa have yet to play a league match this season. They have played in the Carabao Cup where they were able to ease past Burton Albion 3-1 away from home. The game was seemingly locked in at 1-1 and going to penalties before Villa scored 2 in the last couple of minutes to seal the game. Before that Villa played a friendly where they beat Manchester United 1-0.
Dean Smith, the Aston Villa manager, will understand how close his team were to being relegated last season and investment was clearly needed and the club have spent over £75m bringing in new recruits. These include Ollie Watkins from Brentford for £28m, Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal for £17m, Bertrand Traore from Lyon for £17m and the aptly named Matty Cash for £14m. It’s a gamble but given last season it is one that is needed and the club will be hoping to improve on last season and not having to be part of the relegation battle.
Sheffield United were, for the most part, terrific in the league last season but they haven’t started the campaign with the bang that they would have liked too. Chris Wilder’s side lost their opening fixture against Wolves 2-0, and they had home advantage. They followed that up by being knocked out of the Carabao Cup against Burnley on penalties after the game had ended 1-1, and so will come into this game needing a win for confidence.
Team News:
Aston Villa: Bjorn Engels is ruled out with a thigh injury. Tom Heaton is out with a long term knee injury from last season but is expected back next month
Sheffield United: Lys Mousset looks to be a long term injury worry, firstly with his toe and now his ligaments. Still he is the only major injury concern for the Blades ahead of the match
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd Head to Head:
Last season this fixture ended 0-0.
There is a 70% chance to see over 2.5 goals.
Sheffield United haven’t won at Villa Park since 2014.
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd Prediction:
Aston Villa have kept some quality and added to the team and that is a major bonus. They got a good 90 minutes under their belt in midweek in the cup and will be looking forward to this game.
Playing Aston Villa away won’t be easy and indeed the Blades don’t have a great recent record coming here. We feel they will arrive with low confidence, is this the second season syndrome kicking in for United after a solid last season? It could well be and we will be tipping Villa to win this game but with the draw covered for extra safety. There has been an incredible amount of goals in the league so far, and perhaps this fixture can continue that trend and we will back there being at least a couple in this game.
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Aston Villa) at 1.92
Goal line (Over 2) at 1.625
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