With Jonty

Sheffield United are challenging for automatic promotion to the English Premier League this season, just three points off the top of the table as they travel to face Aston Villa tonight.

Villa are in danger of not even making the play-offs, their leaky defence a serious problem in a season where on-loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has at least contributed plenty of goals at the other end. The youngster is one strike away from reaching 20 goals for the season in a Villa shirt.

Dean Smith’s side are drawing too many matches to go up, with just two wins in their last 10 Championship matches, and six draws. United, on the other hand, have won five of their last seven league games and only Leeds (8) have more away wins than the Blades.

I suspect Villa will rouse themselves but I still think it will be another draw. Pool Name - S6 V3 P2 M1: Maritzburg United v Polokwane City. United to finally get a win. TIP: United win = 1 M2: Chievo Verona v Roma. An away day. TIP: Roma win = 3 M3: Aston Villa v Sheffield United. Previewed above. TIP: Draw = 2 M4: Dijon v Marseille. Away win. TIP: Marseille win = 3 M5: Real Valladolid v Villarreal. Spoils shared. TIP: Draw = 2 M6: Moreirense v FC Porto. Porto power.

TIP: Porto win = 3