Blades dig in as Villa crack without Jack
IN THE week Chris Wilder publicly cast doubt on his future as Sheffield United manager, his players produced a performance that showed the board they must do everything they can to keep him.
This victory over Aston Villa, only their fourth in the league this term, may not be enough to keep Wilder’s team in the Premier League, but it showcased a group united behind their leader, even though they are still 12 points adrift of safety with 11 games remaining.
Wilder promised to celebrate on his players’ behalf and said: ‘They have another game on Saturday (against Southampton). All the beers they might have drunk tonight, I’ll do that for them.’
The Blades were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Phil Jagielka’s yellow card for fouling Anwar El Ghazi was upgraded to red by referee Robert Jones in another controversial VAR call. But they defended superbly to ensure David McGoldrick’s 31stminute strike was enough to win.
Amid ongoing differences with club executives, Wilder said this week he did not know whether he would still be in charge next season.
He led United from League One to the Premier League, and this is their second season in the top flight. Who could the Blades possibly hire to do a better job?
‘It was everything you want in a performance,’ Wilder added. ‘Any win for Sheffield United in this division is a huge result.’
Wilder also showed a ruthless streak by bringing off substitute Oli Burke, who had replaced Rhian Brewster on the hour, with two minutes left.
Without injured captain Jack Grealish, Villa missed a big chance to move closer to the European places. Ollie Watkins headed against a post yet, despite playing against 10 men for more than half an hour, they were unable to find the breakthrough. ‘We shouldn’t be leaving with nothing but we threw away points tonight,’ admitted Villa boss Dean Smith. ‘We didn’t show enough quality.’ Despite multiple injuries, the home side matched Villa in a competitive opening half, though the first good chance fell to Smith’s men.
After Bertrand Traore’s shot had been blocked, Watkins steered a header towards John McGinn, who outmuscled Kean Bryan only to drag the ball wide.
Villa were punished in the 31st minute when McGoldrick (left) found George Baldock, then rampaged into the box, scoring after Ahmed Elmohamady allowed him to reach the cross. Three minutes later, Traore showed wonderful footwork to weave past three Blades players — yet with the goal at his mercy, he fired wide from 12 yards.
Traore went close again early in the second half, forcing Jagielka into a brilliant sliding block. Then Matt Targett crossed from the left and Watkins glanced a header against the woodwork. The goal-saving goa challenge was the high hi point of Jagielka’s evening. e He was originally shown s a yellow card for bundling b over El Ghazi as the Dutchman went through on goal, but after checking the monitor, referee r Jones sent off the 38-year-old 3 centre back. The T Blades were stunned, though tho it is questionable whether whe covering defender Bryan would have reached the ball ahead ah of El Ghazi had Jagielka not felled him.
Wilder’s men found themselves on the wrong end of a refereeing decision against Aston Villa once again. John Egan was dismissed early on at Villa Park last September. Back in June, they were denied a clear goal when goalline technology malfunctioned.
‘Villa are a brilliant club but they have had some decisions against us,’ remarked Wilder. With the man advantage, Villa moved up a gear but to no avail.
Traore’s close-range effort was scrambled away by Ethan Ampadu, before John Fleck denied Keinan Davis with an equally important tackle. In stoppage time, Ramsdale made a great stop to deny Ezri Konsa and Watkins could not reach the loose ball.