Image source, PA

With that news that Paul Scholes seems set to dip his toes into management for the first time - we want to hear your suggestions for ex-players you think would make ideal gaffers.

We've already got Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Sol Campbell from the Scholes era - who else could step forward?

Get involved by using #bbcefl on social media.

Some other news from around the EFL earlier today may well have taken former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes a step closer to his managerial bow with Oldham Athletic.

Read more below....

Image source, Rex Features

Sticking with the theme of hot shots in front of goal....

Villa's Tammy Abraham likes a match at Villa Park it seems, 12 of his 19 Championship goals this season have come in his past seven home appearances no less.

Last time out, it was a brace against bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town. Will the Blades defence be in for a similarly torrid evening tonight?

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There seems to be no stopping Sheffield United's Billy Sharp in front of goal right now.

He already has 20 goals to his name this season after netting the Blades' second goal against Bolton last Saturday.

That strike made it nine goals in his past 10 Championship appearances - a run that also saw him become the highest-scoring player in the EFL this century surpassing Rickie Lambert.

Villa defenders beware!

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Tyrone Mings makes his second appearance for Aston Villa this evening after being told he will face no further action from a clash with Reading's Nelson Oliveira last weekend.

Bournemouth loanee Mings' boot landed on the face of Oliveira in the goalless draw, leaving the striker with serious injuries.

Mings, 25, said on Twitter afterwards that he felt "awfully sorry" for Oliveira.

His boss Dean Smith also showed his support this week after Oliveira said he believed Mings could have avoided making contact with his face.

"It was totally accidental," Smith told BBC WM 95.6. "I had no view of it at the time as I didn't see a foul.

"I don't think anyone in the stadium thought there was a foul, the closest person to the incident other than the two players was the referee, who waved play on and the fans didn't appeal.

"All of a sudden, everyone looks at a picture of it on social media and makes an assumption."

Image source, Rex Features

Ninth against third at Villa Park this evening with 11 points separating the two sides.

Villa have been somewhat the draw specialists in recent months with six of them in their past 10 league games, including a goalless stalemate at strugglers Reading last Saturday.

But what will give Dean Smith some heart are just the two defeats in that time and still being in striking distance of the top six.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, have also won six of their past 10 in the Championship, but four of those wins have come in the past six games.

Chris Wilder's side have even spent time inside the automatic promotion places recently and know an away win tonight will take them back there, for a few hours at least.

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Differing incentives this evening for both sides to claim three points.

A win for visitors Sheffield United would take them top of the table on goal difference before second-placed Leeds play on Saturday and current leaders Norwich play on Sunday.

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For Villa on the other hand, victory tonight would take them to within a point of the play-off places and away from a very congested chasing pack.

They are one of four sides locked on 43 points.

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Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"With the away fixtures we've got coming up from now, it's a tough list and they come thick and fast between now and the end of the season.

"It does seem we're not far off going into spring and the clock's going forward, but there's still a third of the season to cram in, so lots of work still to be done.

"At the top of the pitch, we've got some brilliant options and some cracking players to call upon for these sorts of games.

"You've got to be right at it for a nine-month season and you can't just peak for two weeks. That's what we'll need to do if we want to achieve something."

Image source, Rex Features

Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith told BBC WM 95.6:

"For both teams it's a big game. Sheffield United are a very good team and Chris (Wilder) has done a terrific job with them.

"I know a few of their players, I sold him a couple of their centre-halves in Jack O'Connell and Jon Egan so I know them well and I'm not surprised to see them where they are.

"I've had some tough games against them before, but it's certainly a game we'll want to win to get in touch with the play-off places.

"But we've been very good at home and what we need to make sure we do is turn these tighter, close games into wins."

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It's a case of two changes each for both sides this evening.

Aston Villa bring in Mile Jedinak and Jonathan Kodjia to start ahead of Glenn Whelan and Albert Adomah from the goalless draw against Reading on Saturday.

Sheffield United opt for Gary Madine and Kieran Dowell instead of David McGoldrick and Mark Duffy from their 2-0 home win against Bolton.

Aston Villa XI: Kalinic; Hutton (capt), Taylor, Elphick, Mings, Jedinak, McGinn, Hourihane, El Gahzi, Kodjia, Abraham.

Subs: Steer, Whelan, Green, Bjarnason, Elmohamady, Hause, Adomah.

Sheffield United XI: Henderson; O'Connell, Egan, Basham, Baldock, Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Dowell, Sharp (capt), Madine.

Subs: Moore, Stearman, Cranie, Duffy, Johnson, McGoldrick, Washington.

Let's not muck around. Straight to some team news....

Image source, Rex Features

Friday night Championship football under the lights...

What better way to start your weekend?

Aston Villa host Sheffield United in a meeting of two in-form goalscorers and, for one side, there's a huge chance to get their weekend off to a cracking start by going top of the table.

Kick-off in just under half an hour...