Sheffield United

We asked you for your best memories of the festive football period as a Sheffield United fan.

Here's what you had to say:

Daniel: Beating Nottingham Forest just before Christmas in 1990 for our first win and kicking off our great escape!

Lee: Blades away at Barnsley in the snow! Billy Sharp and James Beattie up front and we managed to get a goal late in the game due to a young Sharp bagging before running into a chaotic away end!

Tom: Beating Derby 3-1 in 2018. Great performance and David McGoldrick lobbed the keeper, showing what an inspired free transfer he had been. It kick-started the real push towards the return to the Premier League.

The end of another year is almost upon us - how much do you remember about Sheffield United over the past 12 months?

Test yourself with a question from every month of 2023.

Have a go here

The Christmas spirit and the deluge of games that come with it is upon us.

For a player, it’s a crazy time. What’s mad is everything is happening festive wise and you want to enjoy it in some way – like a party for the lads if you can fit it in. It means you feel you have some kind of Christmas.

But the games keep coming, especially at the top end if you’re in several competitions. Then you have the training load and training on Christmas Day. I won’t lie, that is psychologically a challenge not to feel a bit sorry for yourself. Sometimes you think everyone is having a good time, but you have to think how many people would swap with your position. You have to realise and think about what you are doing.

But when you have your kids there playing with their new toys and you have to go training, that is a big sacrifice It’s not about money, it’s just human nature.

What I think they should do is make it compulsory that you cannot train as a club on Christmas Day. That way, no one gets an advantage. What happens is you see is the owners will question why you didn’t train if you lose on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is brilliant to play on. You can see the bigger crowds and feel the festive spirit. I used to love having Christmas Day off and playing on Boxing Day. But only a few managers will trust you to have that day off, Neil Warnock was one of them.

It’s a tiring spell and I will admit, I have been set to play on Boxing Day and wondered if I’ll get through the game as I’d had too much Christmas dinner.

Playing in this spell, you have to take it as a privilege. You are playing so everyone else is able to watch football at that great time of year.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Thursday, Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

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

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

Tottenham 2-1 Everton

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

We asked you for your thoughts after Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a 1-1 draw on Friday night.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Woody: I think this was a real test of character for Villa. After the maybe unexpected victories vs City and Arsenal, this was very disappointing for the fans. I don’t think we are very clear how to play in games where we have all the possession and need to break down well organised defences- we seemed a bit short of ideas - complacent maybe?

David: Breaking down teams who sit back against us is a new problem and a massive compliment. The fact we still picked up a point is a positive. We're still a work in progress and these games will show Emery where he needs to strengthen - upgrades on Cash and Duran looking likely.

Teddy: As usual Villa showed no urgency against a team they should beat and fair play to Sheffield United who suffocated our midfield, defended in numbers and also had VAR on their side. Villa have to reset, accept this is a blip and keep the faith - It’s still a very Happy Christmas for all us Villa fans!

Sheffield United fans:

Richard: Excellent fighting performance against a top four team. Well done Blades.

Sam: Chris Wilder is making us hard to beat, the improvement since his arrival is clear for all to see.

John: Good battling performance.

Aaron: Wasn't a pretty performance, but was almost the perfect smash-and-grab. Considering they had numerous VAR appeals and a goal disallowed, it's a decent point on the board.

Catch up with all the post-match reaction from Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with high-flying Aston Villa on the latest episode of Blades Heaven.

Hear from Rob Kozluk, Chris Wilder and Jack Robinson after the Blades made it four points from four games under Wilder.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

• Aston Villa failed to win a Premier League home game for the first time since 18trFebruary (2-4 v Arsenal), with this just the second time they had trailed in a league game at Villa Park since then (also v Crystal Palace in September).

• Sheffield United have won four points in their four Premier League games under Chris Wilder this season, just one fewer than they managed in their first 14 league games of the current campaign under Paul Heckingbottom (five points).

• Aston Villa had 77.6% possession against Sheffield United, their most ever in a Premier League match on record (since 2003-04).

• The Blades didn’t attempt a shot in this match until the 78th minute, although they had more attempts (5) than Aston Villa (4) in the final 15 minutes of play.

• Cameron Archer became just the second player to appear for Aston Villa and score against them in a single Premier League season, after Ugo Ehiogu in 2000-01.

• Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal (96:59) was the latest equaliser in a Premier League game for Aston Villa on record (since 2006-07).

• Douglas Luiz has been directly involved in 20 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season (11 goals, nine assists), with only Ollie Watkins having more combined goals and assists (36) for Aston Villa in this period.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Being greedy, and the manner of their goal as well, [I wanted three points] but we'd have definitely have settled for a point before the game.

"They've not really opened us up, we lost it in the build-up and allowed the boy to drift into the box. We're disappointed with the manner of the goal because you get so close and you have to put in so much effort. To give it up at the death is disappointing.

"You're learning about these players who are going into the Lion's Den on a Friday night against Villa who can go top of the league. We've had players out and selection isn't easy.

"We changed the shape, we tried to make it difficult and uncomfortable which we had to.

"I thought Cameron Archer was outstanding. I said to the players, the amount of coaching sessions we've had, we will be better. The more work we do on the training ground. It's a team that has been put together very quickly in the summer. There's plenty to work with with the players and this result gives me great hope."

Aston Villa missed out on the chance to move top of the Premier League as they were held at home by bottom club Sheffield United.

Cameron Archer, sold by Villa to the Blades in the summer, stunned the hosts by opening the scoring in the 88th minute from close range.

Substitute Nicolo Zaniolo snatched a point for Villa with a header deep into stoppage time, but they could not find a winner.

Villa needed a win to go top for the first time since August 2011, having not led the table at this stage in a season for 25 years.

But despite dominating possession and chances, they remain behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.

Leon Bailey had the ball in the net earlier in the second half but it was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Villa had come close in the first half when United keeper Wes Foderingham saved low from Moussa Diaby, before Ezri Konsa sent a stooping far-post header over from a John McGinn corner.

They were also frustrated by VAR, which corroborated on-pitch official Anthony Taylor's decision not to award an 11th-minute penalty when Ollie Watkins was bundled over by Vinicius Souza.

VAR continued to deny Villa after the break, with Jacob Ramsey judged to have fouled Foderingham from a corner before Bailey swept home just before the hour.

And they were sucker punched in the 88th minute when Archer turned home Gustavo Hamer's pull back from inside the six-yard box, before Zaniolo rescued some small consolation by beating Foderingham to Douglas Luiz's 97th-minute cross.

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

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

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

Follow all the reaction here

Aston Villa v Sheffield United is Friday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Felix White, guitarist with 86TVs and a Fulham fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Sheffield United famously scored a ghost goal at Villa Park in 2020, when they were denied a win because Hawk-Eye did not recognise they had scored.

The Blades could do with a few of those at the other end this time because I do not see them keeping Villa out otherwise.

I think there has been a slight upturn in performances since Chris Wilder took charge at the start of December, but they are still bottom of the table.

Villa, meanwhile, are flying. They had to come from behind to beat Brentford last week but their home form is so impressive. Their long winning run at Villa Park has to end at some point, but it is hard to see it happening here.

Unai Emery's side will be top on Christmas Day if they win this one and Arsenal draw with Liverpool. What an incentive that is to keep pushing on.

Felix's prediction: 4-1

I have triple-captained Ollie Watkins in my Fantasy team this week so I'm going for him to get a hat-trick.

I am bottom of my league because I did not realise you got charged points for every transfer you make… so I made about 45. I am so heartbroken about it. I'm checking it way more than I should be.

Read all of Sutton's predictions for this weekend's games

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

Sheffield United need a new pen - for getting players to sign on the dotted line early in the new year. United have 10 players who have started a Premier League game already this season whose contract expires in the summer, along with promising academy products Daniel Jebbison and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

While it is time to say farewell to ageing fringe players like John Fleck, the spine of the squad for the past few years is up for renewal: John Egan, George Baldock, Oli McBurnie, Wes Foderingham and Oli Norwood being some of the more notable names.

Someone please make a stop at the nearest stationery supplier to Bramall Lane, and get it in the hands of this squad's most useful, valuable players long before they hit an open market in which we might not be able to compete.

Jimmy Smith from Blades Ramble has been speaking about the transition from Paul Heckingbottom to Chris Wilder on BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast: "It's still going to be a tricky festive period, but the future itself under Chris Wilder looks much brighter for me. I've been a huge backer of Wilder and it was such a shame to see him go in the first place.

"I still think Paul Heckingbottom did a great job for getting us [to the Premier League]. It was the job he was asked to do and he did it in very difficult circumstances, but it was not working. I don't think he was sufficiently backed in the summer, I have to say.

"Wilder brings a whole new dynamic to the situation. He brings everybody back together again, and it's looking very good this festive season.

"He's come in and his primary aim has been to get a togetherness back in the club, whether that's the supporters or players coming together. It's absolutely night and day.

"It's Chris Wilder's wheelhouse this, in terms of maximising what he can get out of players with potentially limited ability. Our squad is not a Premier League squad. We've got elements of quality in there, but we have to get the most out of these players."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield

The clarity with which Chris Wilder was talking about the transfer window earlier on Wednesday was refreshing.

Most managers don't like to discuss these matters publicly, but the Sheffield United boss was to the point. He wants the club to be decisive, moving on players not part of his plans while still leaving the door open for anyone to work their way into first-team reckoning between now and the new year.

All this comes after an interesting past few days.

One reporter from The Athletic touted United as a possible "surprise" team in the window, with activity to raise an eyebrow. Another report connected the Blades with a loan move for former striker Iliman Ndiaye.

If nothing else, it's layering the next few weeks with intrigue. There's nothing at the moment to suggest a big splurge is on the cards and the phrase "wheeling and dealing" has been used a few times with Wilder. You never know, though.

United's next test is to go up against Aston Villa - the Premier League's surprise package - on Friday.

They'll need to hope there's a little more pressure on Villa these days now that they're in the spotlight. That could give them a chance to cause what would, all considered, be a big upset.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media to preview Friday's Premier League game at Aston Villa.

Here are the main headlines from his news conference:

• On Aston Villa's run of 15 wins in a row at Villa Park: "It doesn't come much tougher. They are on a fabulous run, an incredibly well-coached team with outstanding individuals. And it is an opportunity for them to go top of the division on Friday."

• On Villa boss Unai Emery: "He is a world-class operator in terms of what he has achieved and what he has won in Europe and the standing he has in the game."

• Discussing injuries and the availability of players in his squad, Wilder said: "There are some issues that we need to resolve in the long and medium term. But short term we have a few issues leading up to that game which is not ideal."

• He added that his current playing squad are "young, inexperienced and naive" in terms of Premier League experience and age profile.

• Wilder is confident in what he has seen in his current squad but added they must be "together and produce one of those Sheffield United performances" to get a result.

• Aston Villa are unbeaten in their past 14 home league games against Sheffield United (W8 D6) since losing 2-0 in January 1966.

• Sheffield United have won just two of their past 33 Premier League away games (D4 L27), winning 2-1 at Manchester United in January 2021 and 1-0 at Everton in May 2021. They are the only Premier League side without a win on the road so far this season (D1 L7).

• Aston Villa have won their past two Premier League games played on a Friday, as many as they had in their first 12 such games (D4 L6).

• Sheffield United have had the fewest shots (142) and the lowest xG (13) of any Premier League side so far this season. As it stands, their 8.4 shots-per-game is the lowest on record (since 1997-98) of any side in a single Premier League campaign.

• Ollie Watkins needs one goal to have scored 10+ goals in each of his first four Premier League seasons - the Aston Villa forward could be the first Englishman to achieve that since Robbie Fowler between 1993-94 and 1996-97.

The annual feast of festive Premier League football is about to get under way.

So what is your best memory of following the Blades at Christmas?

Mince pies on the train for a Boxing Day away trip? Squinting through the snow to see your team score a late winner? Ending the year with a Christmas cracker?

Let us know here

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

Wes Foderingham made a game-sealing error against Chelsea, just weeks after a nightmare moment against Bournemouth that effectively put the game out of reach – sparking further debate about his position as United’s number one.

The headline numbers are not pretty for Foderingham: he did keep his first clean sheet of the season last week, but has seen 43 shots fly, slide, squirm and slip into the back of his net already this year – seven more goals than any other team have conceded.

However, I am happy to put forward a defence of Wes – largely because he has not had much of one in front of him so far. He is the only keeper in the Premier League to have faced more than 100 shots on target. His save percentage of 65% is 12th out of 18 keepers who have played more than 10 games, but what about the quality of the chances he’s facing?

The average post-shot xG (expected goals) of each shot on target Foderingham has faced is the second-highest mark in the league, behind only Luton’s Thomas Kaminski (as per FB Ref analytics, external). In other words, not only does Wes face the most shots on target – those shots are generally from clearer chances (or better strikes) than every other keeper bar one.

He has not been a shot-stopping sensation – but he has been fine. Subtracting the actual goals conceded from the post-shot xG of all shots faced puts him above some much bigger names like Ederson, David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, and Robert Sanchez.

A better keeper might have conceded a couple of goals less, or perhaps not made the mistakes mentioned at the top. However, unless United can address the sheer volume of quality shots their keeper is facing, it’s almost a moot point who is in net.

Foderingham was superb behind a competent defence in the Championship last year, and he can be again either back in that league next season or should United tighten up this campaign.