James Chester just nods a long through ball into touch to stop Clayton Donaldson getting in a third time.

United in the Villa half. One minute to the break plus stoppages!

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Villa Park has only seen more than four goals in a league game once this season, when the hosts beat Norwich 4-1 in August.

It would be wise not to rule out a few more tonight!

Conor Hourihane has the Holte End craning their necks as he shoots wide at the opposite end of the field.

Not had chance to get his left foot properly wrapped round much so far but that wasn't a bad effort.

Edging to the break...

Jack O'Connell and Albert Adomah crack heads. O'Connell has spilled some claret.

Doesn't look particularly fazed by it all. Blades throw-in in their left full-back position. Taken by ex-Villa full-back Enda Stevens.

Five to the break.

Robert Snodgrass' left foot might be a wand but that time it failed to cast a spell on the Sheffield United wall, as it cannoned into Leon Clarke and away to safety.

Jack Grealish has the old 80s socks down style. Waiting to have his shins rattled.

Jack Grealish is fouled on the edge of the box. Free kick Villa... danger.

John Townshend: Matt, it's a gallon a magnet... Don't be a lightweight!

Ha. Good point. I'm just saying, drink responsibly.

Villa cannot clear their lines as United keep getting the ball back.

Mark Duffy slides a teasing ball across that results in a corner. Then Blades have a chance in the box, Sam Johnstone saves on his near post.

Albert Adomah breaks. Blocked. Conor Hourihane shoots! Ball deflects off a teammate and out for a goal-kick.

Pulsating is an overused word but it's prevalent now.

One of the staples of modern journalism is the old "Five things we learned'.

Well I'll save whoever's writing one some time by giving them a freebie. We've learned that these two cannot defend for toffee at the moment.

Both capable of a rick. Leon Clarke wins a corner down the left for United. Villa jitters.

Image source, Empics

After a 2-1 victory at Reading gave his Burton side a second consecutive win, Brewers boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Derby:

"We defended very well. We were a bit fortunate with the winning goal, but we deserved it.

"We've talked about trying to get some momentum. Back-to-back away wins puts us in good heart going in to two home games. We'll get a good crowd on Boxing Day."

Villa goalscorer Albert Adomah comes steaming in to head a beautiful cross from Ahmed Elmohamady from the right but fluffs his accuracy. It sat up perfectly. Chance wasted.

What a wow of a game so far.

I always enjoy the variety of songs which you hear around the Championship.

Sheffield United's favourite of course is John Denver's 'Annie's Song'. Only with references to chip butties and a pint of Magnet.

Postpublished at 23 mins

23 mins

Aston Villa 2-1 Sheff Utd

Curling ball into the channels for Villa by Ahmed Elmohamady gets Keinan Davies into the box right side, he turns his man and crosses but it's cleared.

Now Clayton Donaldson and James Chester clash heads. The former stays down. Break in play.

It's amazing how quickly professional footballers can start whacking the ball around Sunday league style once it gets a bit harum scarum. Scrappy stuff.

Now Villa work it into position on the edge of the Blades penalty area. More refinement on this occasion. However, the move breaks down after a foul. Cleared. End of danger.

Sheffield United are going to need all the calming influence of John Lundstram here, if it keeps up this furiously relentless pace.

Villa being pressed, George Baldock charges in off the right but his shot is blocked.

Open and lively.

Image source, Empics

Despite a 3-0 win, Derby boss Gary Rowett wants more from his side, expressing concern about how many chances visitors Millwall created.

"I'm satisfied in some ways, but not so satisfied in others," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"Some of our attacking play got the crowd really excited and our goals were really well-taken.

"But on another day, we'd have conceded goals. That's a warning sign. We kept a clean sheet but I'm not quite sure how we managed that."

Question marks there about the Villa defence for the goal, Steve Bruce's centre-halves were like Subbuteo players - static - as Clayton Donaldson skipped away to bring down and score.

Fluid and frantic. In keeping with the rest of this festive pre-Christmas Saturday Special!

Leon Clarke chases down a loose back pass to Sam Johnstone and Villa hurriedly clear. Panic stations at both ends.

Image source, Rex Features