Summary

  • Zaniolo scores 98th-minute equaliser to earn Aston Villa draw with Sheff Utd

  • Villa miss chance to go top of table despite late goal

  • Villa were bidding to reach summit for first time since August 2011

  • Sheff Utd move off bottom with point but still five points from safety

  1. Goodbye!published at 23:01 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    That's me and the team done for the night. Always a pleasure to bring you these live texts so thanks for following along.

    You can recap all of tonight's action in Emma Smith's report.

    We'll be back at 11:15 GMT tomorrow for West Ham United's early kick-off with Manchester United.

    Be sure to join us then. Enjoy yourselves and have a great weekend!

  2. Postpublished at 22:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Let's put things into perspective then.

    Aston Villa missed out on a chance to go top of the Premier League table for the first time since August, 2011; and for the first time this late into the season since January, 1999.

    Pemier LEague tableImage source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

    As for Sheffield United, their point lifts them off bottom spot and to within five points of safety.

    They have a HUGE game with Luton on Boxing Day.

    Premier League tableImage source, BBC Sport/Getty Images
  3. 'We are disappointed with the result but we are accepting it'published at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to BBC Match of the Day: "I am very happy and very proud of the players. It was very difficult to keep our winning record. They defended really well.

    "We played well for the first 70 minutes and after they refused our goal we were upset and we lost control. They scored their goal and in the end we drew, it was fantastic to get a draw today.

    "I accept VAR always. But only today I think it was too much. It was not necessary to review two or three times in the first half. And the goal, it was not necessary. Normally we can accept this goal.

    "We are disappointed with the result today but we are accepting it. We have to focus for the next match against Manchester United, it will be incredible."

  4. Postpublished at 22:52 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    Thanks for messaging Zac, hope the night shift goes by quickly!

    My late finish certainly has. We've just got time to hear from Unai Emery on Match of the Day, and then I reckon we say our goodbyes.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:51 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Zac on a night shift: Dan at 22:35 - are you seriously complaining about Unai Emery? ‘Dan the Villa fan’ - have you been following Villa for the last 30 years?!

  6. 'To give it up at the death is disappointing'published at 22:49 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United

    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."

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:46 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Colin: As a Villa fan, I knew it was going to be a tough game tonight, as the pressure was all on us. Barring the VAR decisions, we must be more clinical and put teams under pressure when we don't have possession. However, a decent performance and we march on.

  8. Postpublished at 22:44 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    Agree with Emery, was VAR 'too much' tonight?

    Hit the thumbs.

  9. 'I think today VAR was too much'published at 22:44 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to Sky sports: "I watched a good game, of course two teams trying to play. But it was not dramatic and with incident.

    "We have been on a run and we know things can change and today it did, but I am very happy with the players. I have to accept the draw and I am very, very happy.

    "Yes we deserved more than one point. We controlled the game in the first half like we were preparing. They were defending really well. But in 90 minutes we only lost control after VAR refused our goal. We were absent for the minutes afterwards and conceded."

    On Villa's disallowed goal: "It was not the correct decision but I always accept the VAR.

    "I think today VAR was too much. Not necessary to review as much as they reviewed. And for the goal is was a second action. We recovered the ball and then we score. It was not necessary to review this.

    "For me I accept VAR, but it's not necessary always."

  10. 'VAR is part of the game'published at 22:42 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa goalscorer Nicolo Zaniolo, speaking to Sky Sports: "Today was a very important match. We had to win, but I'm happy with my first goal in the Premier League, but I prefer three points."

    Making an impact: "When I come on the pitch, the team needed a goal. After I scored, it was a little bit better."

    On VAR decisions: "VAR is part of the game. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is not good. Today we have to win the match not with VAR."

    Having to break teams down: "Villa Park is a difficult place to play. Sheffield is a good team and it was a good team. It was a hard match and we wanted three points."

  11. Postpublished at 22:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Gary Neville
    Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

    I don't think Aston Villa were good enough tonight. For me, Unai Emery will look at how they can be more inventive and creative when a team sits back.

  12. 'They want to give everything to the football club'published at 22:37 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United

    Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, speaking to Sky Sports: "We're delighted with the result. We can't go toe-to-toe with these sides. We've worked well on the training ground. There were about a thousand VAR calls tonight. Smash and grab and we go 1-0 and you feel like it's going to be your night. They're a together group and they want to give everything to the football club."

    On VAR: "It was littered with it from the off with penalties and disallowed goals. I'm a traditionalist, I'm here for the hand of god, that's it. 95th minute at Old Trafford, when you out in a performance like that and a penalty comes from nowhere. It gets taken away from referees once they get to the top."

    Playing with a back five: "There's boys out there struggling. I'm learning about the players. I know some of them from the first time. We need a structure and make it difficult for us to be broken down, I'm not going to apologise for that. We did it against Liverpool and Chelsea."

    Luton up next: "We all understand the games with the teams around us will drag other teams in. We need to recover and get on the training ground. We will get better as long as they stick together. They are a good group. We've come to Villa Park on a Friday night and everyone is expecting us to get smashed. They could go top. We will get better and grow as long as they boys are prepared to grow."

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Dan, Villa fan: For all of Emery's qualities he's bought to this Villa side. He has consistently struggled to put the lower premiership teams to the sword.

  14. 'We need to put it into perspective'published at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn: "We weren't at our free-flowing best that's for sure. Sheffield United were better at their plan than we were tonight.

    "We didn't create enough chances and certainly need to improve if teams play like this against us again.

    "We're joint-top of the league at the moment. Yes we're disappointed not to go outright top but we need to put it into perspective. We've been on a superb run at home and it was bound to come to an end at some point.

    "It shows the mentality shift that this feels like a defeat. We wanted to win, even at the end we put the pressure on."

    On Villa's disallowed goal: "I think it's a wee bit harsh. Goalkeepers are protected and I'm not sure what the rules are on phases of play. That's one for the referees.

    "Things go for you and against you. The last time we played Sheffield United here the goalie carried the ball over the line."

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Jay: Let's be honest here, as a lifelong Villan, we were never going for the title. This game was a real test and Villa will need to get used to teams parking the bus. We need to get better at breaking these teams down more efficiently and, bet your bottom dollar, Unai Emery will learn a lot from this game. The point will keep us grounded. Keep on chasing.

  16. 'It's the least we deserve'published at 22:25 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United

    Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's the least we deserve but to come away with one is pretty disappointing. I'm always shouting at the boys to show line and then unfortunately I couldn't get there."

    On Chris Wilder: "We had to take a lot on board in a short space of time and we've done really well. We showed how hard we are to break down."

    VAR overturn goal: "I was 100% confident it was going to get overturned. I could feel his arm on me pulling me away."

    On being hard to beat: "I think we've been hard to beat against a lot of good side. We played Liverpool and were hard to beat and it was the same again tonight."

  17. Postpublished at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa failed to win a Premier League home game for the first time since 18 February (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).

  18. 'We are disappointed'published at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United

    Sheffield United goalscorer Cameron Archer, speaking to Sky Sports: "Wes [Foderingham] did well, he made some good saves. We couldn't get the three points in the end."

    On working with Chris Wilder: "We work hard on the training pitch. We came here to win and we're disappointed."

  19. Postpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    Haha I was a couple of minutes out boys. Let's just enjoy a rare time when there's no curse of the commentator from a BBC live texter.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Paul: Well done Joe spot on at 20.43.

    Rich: Didn't you call this? Can I have Tuesday's lottery numbers next please?