Douglas Luiz and Lucas Digne are back in action for Aston Villa after serving their bans; However, Boubacar Kamara is beginning a three-match suspension.
Youri Tielemans is still out, while Pau Torres, who was replaced last weekend due to an ankle ailment, is out. Jack Robinson, the defender who was punished for Chelsea’s loss last week, is back for Sheffield United.
There are still six injured Blades players. Villa trio John McGinn, Matty Cash, and Jhon Duran are also one booking away from a ban, as are Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jayden Bogle, Gustavo Hamer, and Will Osula.
COMPARE THE FACTS
Head to Head
- Since losing 2-0 in the top division in January 1966, Aston Villa has gone 14 games without a loss at home against Sheffield United in the league (W8, D6).
- Under Chris Wilder, Sheffield United has defeated Villa twice in their ten Premier League encounters, 2-0 in December 2019 and 1-0 in March 2021.
- In their five Premier League visits to Villa Park, the Blades have only achieved one point and one goal, which was scored by Brian Deane in January 1993.
- However, in January 2014, they became victorious in the FA Cup third round, defeating League One opponents 2-
- Villa would lead the Premier League table at least 18 games into the season for the first time since they did so at Christmas 25 years ago if they prevailed on Friday.
- Aston Villa has won the league at home for 15 straight games, a club record. In the Premier League, only Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have ever had longer runs.
- It is the first time they have won their first eight home top-flight games of the season since 1932–1933, when a 6-3 loss to Sheffield Wednesday ended their run.
- With 25 league wins in a calendar year, Unai Emery’s team has set a club record. Their 2023 point total of 81 is second only to Manchester City’s 87.
- For the first time, they are trying to win 13 of the first 18 league games of the season.
- Villa is the only Premier League team that has won all 12 of its games when leading and hasn’t given up a point while leading this season.
- In addition, the Villans have triumphed in three of their last six league games despite giving up the opening goal.
- All 49 of Ollie Watkins’ Premier League goals have come for Aston Villa. With 21 Premier League goals in 2023, he has scored more than any other Villa player in a single year since Andy Gray’s 23 goals in 1976.
- After 17 games, Sheffield United has eight points. At this point in the Premier League season, no team has less than 10 points and managed to stay in the league.
- With just one point from eight games, they are the only team in the division without an away league victory this year.
- In their previous 32 away Premier League games, the Blades have suffered 27 losses, two victories, and three draws.
- United has made the fewest attempts on goal of any team in the Premier League this season, with just 142.
The only player for them to score a goal away this season is Gustavo Hamer. - After 17 Premier League games, their 43 goals conceded is the second-highest total of any team.
- In 1997–98, Barnsley had admitted 45 players at the same point.
- In his first stint as Sheffield United’s manager, Chris Wilder failed to win any of the team’s four away league games against Aston Villa (D3, L1).