Sheffield United

Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport

Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before their crucial match against Luton Town on Saturday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• He maintains his belief the Blades can stay in the Premier League: "I never give up hope. Even if the league table says that's us done and dusted, there is always something to play for. There's no hiding place - it's the Premier League and it's broadcast worldwide."

• He was asked for his comments on VAR after a senior Premier League official called it "a poor experience for fans": "We're all in the same boat in terms of the length of decisions that are being made. Everybody wants them to be quickened up and tidied up. We've all been pro VAR when the results are right in your favour and anti VAR when they go against you.

• Ben Brereton Diaz has impressed the boss since arriving from Villareal in January: "Ben has been a super signing for us. He has been fabulous to work with off the pitch, fabulous on the training ground and he has delivered assists, goals and performances. Hopefully, he can kick on and keep producing those performances."

• On the availability of keeper Ivo Grbic after he sustained a concussion against Crystal Palace: "He will miss out by one day so it seems that's the way things are going at the moment so we have to deal with that. It's a miss for us of course but whoever plays in goal will come in and do a good job for us."

• On relegation rivals Luton: "The next game is on Saturday against an in-form team that are doing fabulously well so the narrative will be how well they're doing as a promoted side and how poor we are at the moment. We have to understand that and we have to accept it. They've got on a roll and confidence is a huge thing."

• Despite Luton's form, Wilder is not overstating their ability: "They're not ninth, not eighth or seventh or sixth, they're still in and around it - but the have got more points than us. Rob [Edwards] is a smart guy and he has done a great job in carrying Luton forward and they have got momentum, belief and confidence. That will make them a team that's expected to win on Saturday."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

• Sheffield United lost the reverse fixture 3-2 against Luton in December. They haven't lost both league meetings against the Hatters in a single season since 1976-77 in the second tier.

• After only scoring 10 goals in their first 12 Premier League matches, Luton Town have found the net in each of their past 10 games, netting in 22 goals across these games. Only Tottenham are on a longer run of scoring (35 games) than the Hatters.

• The Blades have conceded 59 goals in 23 Premier League games this season. The last top-flight side to concede 60 goals in as few as 24 games into a season was Ipswich Town in 1963-64.

• Oli McBurnie has more goals and assists combined than any other Blades player in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 2 assists). However, Sheffield United haven't been on the winning side in any game which he has scored or assisted in.

• Alfie Doughty has taken more corners that have led to a goal (not necessarily providing the assist himself) in the Premier League this season than any other player (8).

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was defiant in saying the season was not over after the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa but the general mood this week has been one suggesting that is exactly how the fans feel.

I was driving back from a different game on Saturday and pulling into the radio station, which is down the road from Bramall Lane. You could see fans walking home as the second half got underway. That is not a surprise when you are 4-0 down.

The truth is that it has been a miserable campaign so far. Embarrassing defeats to Villa, Burnley and Newcastle and not being able to win the vital games which were there to be had. Burnley are in the same boat and, while Luton are putting up a great fight, all three promoted sides may go down.

It has created the feeling somewhat of whether going up is all it is cracked up to be. If you do not have the financial clout to compete, are you just making up the numbers? There to suffer the occasional hammering, with promotion the peak of anything you can achieve?

Saturday's game at Luton feels almost like last-chance saloon. If the Blades are going to pull off the great escape, they have to win. Even then, people are already turning their attention to what went wrong, namely a summer that did not set the club up to succeed in the toughest division in world football.

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

There was one surprise late move by the Blades right at the end of the transfer window, as John Fleck moved on a permanent deal to Blackburn Rovers.

It was a slightly anti climactic end for someone who will be rightly remembered as a modern Blades great.

Fleck was one of Chris Wilder’s first signings as United boss, and undoubtedly one of his very best. The ultimate box-to-box midfielder, Fleck was a free transfer from Coventry City in the summer of 2016 and absolutely instrumental in our rise from League One to the Premier League.

Looking back, it’s amazing to me that he only scored 15 goals in red and white as almost all of them are firmly lodged in the memory.

His tone-setting freekick in the 4-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday in September 2017 will be talked about among Blades fans for decades to come, and he also scored limb-inducing goals against Manchester United and Arsenal in our first season back in the top flight.

Despite scoring in the most famous derby win in the last thirty years, my favourite Fleck goal will always be the one at Northampton in April 2017.

After six years in the League One doldrums, United were all-but certain of promotion with plenty of games to play and this one balanced at 1-1.

Fleck, though, had other ideas, powering into the box in his trademark style and stabbing in an 88th minute winner to prompt an inevitable pitch invasion from the thousands of Blades in attendance as promotion was mathematically clinched.

It was a goal that halted a decade-long decline for Sheffield United, and sent the club in the other direction instead.

Six years on, injuries have taken their toll on Fleck and it was a surprise to see him given another year with United last summer.

Now, he has the chance to rediscover form and fitness back in the second tier. There won’t be a Blades fan out there that doesn’t wish him the best.

Michael Brown
BBC Sport pundit

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How the season rates so far? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Blades fans

Mark: First time I have left at half-time. Absolute garbage.

William: Wilder made serious mistakes with the team selection. 1) Playing Holgate in place of Robinson in a defence that never played together 2) Playing Brooks in place of Hamer just showed up the youngster’s inexperience against experienced, top-level players. He looked lost at times. Let the fans down. Poor leadership.

Tom: I have seen plenty of poor Blades teams, and countless relegations, but I can’t recall seeing a side so far out of their depth. We had no idea what to do - simply standing around while Villa stroked the ball around. It was only Villa taking their foot off the gas that stopped this being another Newcastle.

Villa fans

Paul: After a couple of shaky results, this was a statement victory. Villa dominated the midfield - Luiz and Kamara very good, with Tielemans creating chances. Sheffield United could not handle Watkins' pace or Bailey’s movement. They were far too open at home. Wilder completely out-thought by Emery's tactics and set-up.

Ronny: Some of us Villa faithful were beginning to doubt our top -four credentials, but this performance was just what we needed to confirm we are here to stay. We demolished the opposition from the off, like our counterparts would have, and every player performed to their maximum ability. Even Unai was getting excited!

Jackson: The first half-hour was brilliant and then we understandably dropped the pace. The game was won but it felt like a missed opportunity for a record win as United were that bad. The thinking perhaps should have been to maximise the goal difference rather than job done.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League matches.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle United v Luton Town

• Sheffield United v Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's Harry Poole

Sheffield United fans were left fearing a repeat of September's humiliating 8-0 defeat by Newcastle as they watched their side be completely overwhelmed by Aston Villa.

Newcastle did not score their fourth until the 56th minute on that occasion. At Bramall Lane on Saturday night, that was the scoreline with just half an hour gone.

The home supporters made their feelings clear as many headed for the exits after Youri Tielemans' fine finish made it 4-0, and although the situation did not worsen before half-time the whistle was greeted with boos.

That Villa's fifth immediately after the restart did not lead to a significantly more damaging collapse was of little consolation, and the nature of the defeat will do nothing to aid the Blades' belief that they can become the first side to survive from the desperate position they find themselves in.

No team has had as few as 10 points at this stage of the season and avoided relegation, nor has any side in Premier League history conceded as many goals (59) after 23 games.

The Blades now face a crucial trip to fellow promoted side Luton Town next weekend, with the Hatters sitting 10 points above them outside the relegation places.

Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Sport after Sheffield United's 5-0 loss to Aston Villa: "We were punished ruthlessly. It's a long way back from 4-0 down. Basic individual errors and organisational errors. I'll take the rap for that. It was an atheltic young side who got put to bed.

"Watkins' movement caused us a problem. Goals from Bailey and Tielemans were fabulous finishes. The goal just after half-time is difficult to take. I've been in that position as a player and a manager and there's no hiding place.

"You have to take your medicine. We have to accept that and apologise to our supporters because they've been superb. We've let them down this evening.

"We had a couple of really good chances to take the lead and then we've gone chasing. We've got excited. We've left big holes and they've picked us off.

"If you allow good players big holes and players go diving in and losing their shape, they'll find those pockets and produce that final finish. It can become messy which it did.

"I don't think there's anything to take out of today's performance. Nothing at all. We've been well and truly pumped. If people say there was only one goal in the second half it doesn't hit home with anybody who's been in the game."

• Aston Villa secured their biggest away win in the Premier League since April 2008, when they beat Derby County 6-0 at Pride Park.

• Sheffield United have conceded 59 goals in their 23 Premier League games this season, the most of any side at this stage of a top-flight campaign since Fulham in 1965-66 (also 59).

• Ollie Watkins (11 goals, 10 assists) became the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League this season and the first player to achieve this for Aston Villa in a top-flight campaign since Dwight Yorke in 1995-96.

• Sheffield United became just the fifth side to lose two different home games in a Premier League season by 5+ goals (also 0-8 vs Newcastle in September), after Swindon in 1993-94, Derby in 2007-08, West Brom in 2020-21 and Norwich in 2021-22.

• Aston Villa became the first team to score 4+ goals in the opening 30 minutes of a Premier League away game since Chelsea vs Bolton in October 2011.

Aston Villa dismantled Sheffield United to move back into the Premier League's top four with a thumping victory which leaves the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table.

Unai Emery's side overwhelmed the woeful hosts with four goals inside the opening half hour at Bramall Lane - by John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans - before Alex Moreno added a fifth soon after the break.

McGinn slotted his 12th-minute opener into a vacant goal after Blades skipper Anel Ahmedhodzic managed to hook Watkins' goal-bound shot off the line - but Watkins did not miss his next opportunity, finding the bottom corner after receiving a wonderful outside-of-the-boot pass from Douglas Luiz.

The alarm bells were ringing loudly for Chris Wilder's side when Bailey curled in a delightful third inside 20 minutes, leading some home supporters to head for an early exit.

Villa pressed for more and Tielemans, having just seen a shot headed off the line, unleashed a blistering strike from the edge of the box following the resulting corner to add a fourth as Bramall Lane continued to empty.

Those home fans who remained made their feelings clear as the half-time whistle was met with boos but their collective mood only worsened just 83 seconds after the restart when Moreno volleyed in Watkins' cross to make it 5-0.

Substitute Moussa Diaby's fierce strike was saved by Foderingham as Villa sought to add to their tally, while Sheffield United were denied a late consolation when Vinicius Souza's injury-time finish was ruled out for offside.

Victory moved Villa level on points with second-placed Manchester City and Arsenal directly above them, although they have played more games than both of those sides.

But for Sheffield United, now 10 points from safety, the picture appears increasingly gloomy.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Villa fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Blades fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle v Luton

• Sheff Utd v Aston Villa

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is taking on Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh for this weekend's Premier League predictions.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Aston Villa dropped points against Sheffield United a few weeks ago and they really cannot afford a repeat of that here.

Unai Emery's side have been getting praised all season but it might change people's perception of them if they do not win this game, and start to look as if they are going to fall away.

That is not what I am expecting to happen, though, because I actually think Villa will assert themselves and get the win they need.

Ollie Watkins was back on the scoresheet against Newcastle after going for a few games without scoring and he should get some more chances here to help his side bounce back.

In contrast, things look pretty bleak for the Blades.

Tuesday's game against Crystal Palace, where they took the lead twice but ended up losing, pretty much summed them up and the only way I can see them staying up from here is if the Premier League keep on deducting points from the teams above them.

Ed's prediction: Tim Warwood, my snowboarding co-commentator with the BBC, is a massive Villa fan. When they had that run where they beat Manchester City and Arsenal before Christmas it put them on 35 points and he said the chat in the stands was that they only needed another three points and they would be safe, which made me smile.

This is actually a big game for Villa, who have had things all their own way for a long time but are just having their first big slip of the season. They need to show they can recover and I think they will have too much for Sheffield United. 0-3

Read the full predictions

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United midfielder Ismaila Coulibaly has joined Swedish side AIK on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 23-year-old featured in the Blades' run to the FA Cup semi-finals last season but has made only one appearance for the club this term, starting the Carabao Cup second-round tie against Lincoln, which was lost on penalties.

• Sheffield United have won their past three home league games against Aston Villa, since a 1-0 loss in January 2018 in the Championship.

• Aston Villa have won six of their seven Premier League games against promoted sides under Unai Emery, though the exception was a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United in the reverse fixture in December.

• The Blades are only the fourth team to have accumulated just 10 or fewer points after 22 matches in a Premier League season, after Bolton Wanderers in 1995-96 (10), Sunderland in 2005-06 (nine) and Derby County in 2007-08 (seven), all of whom finished bottom of the division at the end of the season.

• Villa have picked up just five points in their past five Premier League matches (W1 D2 L2), shipping nine goals. In their previous five, they collected 13 points (W4 D1) and conceded only four times.

• Sheffield United have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, the fewest of any side - and have conceded 54 goals, the most in the league. Only Barnsley in 1997-98 (57) have ever conceded more at this stage of a Premier League season.

• Ollie Watkins netted his 50th Premier League goal for Aston Villa in their 3-1 defeat by Newcastle, taking his tally to 10 goals in 2023-24 and meaning he has scored 10 or more goals in all four of his seasons in the top flight. He is the first English player to achieve this in their first four seasons since Robbie Fowler (1993-94 to 1996-97) and Alan Shearer (first five from 1992-93 to 1996-97).

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Sheffield United v Aston Villa at 17:30 GMT on Saturday

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha has sympathised with the players who have moved to struggling clubs during the January transfer window, on The Football News Show: "I only had one move in January and that was from Manchester City - who were winning the league - to QPR - who were fighting relegation - so it was a bit of a change, you could say.

"Getting to learn about your team-mates, when you are also fighting fires in real time, it's not the best time to integrate with a new side. Things weren't great.

"When you're winning games, it's far easier but we weren't in that position.

"It was tough and then making the adjustment and stuff with family, halfway through the season, but again it's something you have to do if you want to find football.

"I was going somewhere to try to find more football. If you're someone who is being signed because you are the pinnacle, then maybe it is different but that wasn't the experience for me."

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United have announced long-serving midfielder John Fleck has joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a permanent deal.

Fleck signed for the Blades in 2016 and has played a key role in promotions from League One and the Championship as well as a winning a number of Player of the Year awards.

The 32-year-old made a total of 278 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals, and made his final appearance against Liverpool in December.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United have confirmed defender Femi Seriki has signed a new contract at the club and will spend the rest of the season on loan at Championship side Rotherham.

The 21-year-old, who has appeared in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, has agreed new terms on a deal that will run until 2027.