Sheffield United are scheduled to travel to the Villa Park this Friday as they gear up to take on Aston Villa in matchweek 31 of the 2018-19 EFL Championship.
The Blades are currently third in the Championship table following their 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Bramall Lane last week, with 54 points from 30 matches. A win against Dean Smith’s side on Friday night would take Chris Wilder’s side level on points with league leaders Norwich City and second-placed Leeds United.
The last time these two teams met, Sheffield United thrashed the Villans 4-1 and they must look for a similar outcome on Friday night.
January signing Scott Hogan will be ineligible to take the field against his parent club. No other injury/suspension worries for manager Wilder.
The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper has been brilliant this term for the Blades. An undisputed starter between the sticks at Villa Park.
The Englishman has been an ever-present at the back for Wilder’s side when fit and available. That is unlikely to change for the upcoming fixture against Villa.
The summer signing has been a key addition to the Sheffield United backline and has played a key role in helping them stay solid at the back. Another start beckons on Friday.
Completing the three-man defence for the visitors this week should be English centre-half Jack O’Connell, who has started every single Championship match for the Blades this term and had scored in the previous meeting against Villa.
The right wing-back slot is set to be taken up by George Baldock. He will be tasked with providing the width going forward for the Blades.
The Scotland international has not missed a single league game for Wilder’s side since September last year. A key cog in the middle of the park, he should start on Friday night.
Partnering Fleck in the middle of the park should be former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Oliver Norwood, who has chipped in with seven assists this term – joint highest by a Blades player this term.
The leader of the assists chart for Sheffield United, along with Norwood, Enda Stevens is a guaranteed starter as the left-sided wing-back against Villa.
The 33-year-old provides the creativity in the final third for the Blades and had scored in the reverse fixture. Should once again feature from the get-go, with on-loan midfielder Kieran Dowell starting on the bench.
The club captain was on the scoresheet once again in the win over Bolton this past week, taking his tally in the Championship to 19 strikes.
The other goalscorer from the Bolton encounter, summer signing David McGoldrick is likely to hold on to his spot ahead of Gary Madine.
