Unai Emery’s high-flying Aston Villa will look to do their part in their bid to be top at Christmas when they face a Sheffield United side in desperate need of points (KO, 20:00).
The Villans are on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which includes victories over Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal, while the Blades have won one of Chris Wilder’s three-game tenure, losing twice.
- Aston Villa to win
- Under 2.5 goals
- Leon Bailey to score or assist
Villa Defence Too Much For Blades
The Villans have turned their home ground into a fortress this season, with just a solitary defeat in the Carabao Cup to Everton their only blemish at Villa Park.
That loss is also the only time Emery’s side have conceded more than once at home in all competitions, and they have been victorious in each of the other 12 matches played here all season.
The Blades have shown more fight under Wilder than his predecessor, however, the lack of quality to lead the frontline is abundantly clear.
United have scored a league low of 12, with only Oli McBurnie, Cameron Archer and Gustavo Hamer netting more than once, with that trio having netted twice this season.
In fact, Hamer has scored all of his goals away from Bramall Lane, making him the only Blades player to score away from home in the league this season, as both their other goals were own goals.
With the league’s best home record facing the worst away record, statistics would suggest only one outcome.
Blades To Make It A Tight Affair
Despite their forward frailties, Wilder has helped make United a more challenging foe since taking charge in early December.
A brace of 2-0 defeats to title-chasing Liverpool and then Chelsea either side of a 1-0 victory at home to Brentford is more than admirable given the quality of all three opponents.
The catalyst for change when former manager Paul Heckingbottom was sacked following a 5-0 hammering at the hands of fellow strugglers Burnley, a result that left the Blades rooted to the foot of the table.
Wilder’s men may not have enough to beat Villa on Friday night, let alone score, but they will certainly make life difficult for the villains.
Not Christmas Without Bailey’s
One man looking to continue his great form this season is Villa winger Leon Bailey, who has proved to be a handful in the league in the weeks leading up to the festive period.
The Jamaican star has registered a goal or assist in each of his last four games, including a famous winner over reigning champions Manchester City.
His five goals and five assists in the Premier League puts him second in Villa’s squad in terms of goal contributions, just behind star striker Ollie Watkins, who is fifth in the whole division.
Despite stiff competition in his position, with the likes of Nicolo Zaniolo and Moussa Diaby waiting in the wings, Bailey’s form has cemented his name as one of the first on the team sheet.
LEON BAILEY TO SCORE OR ASSIST
