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. Postpublished at 22:18 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Chris Wilder continues to go up in my estimations. He's speaking to Sky now and is asked about VAR.

    He reminds us that referees are people too and "are some of the best in the business rising from the grassroots all the way to the Premier League".

    He also says he's a VAR traditionalist and thinks it "should only be used for the hand of God".

  2. Postpublished at 22:15 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Since Chris Wilder returned to the helm at Sheffield United, the Blades have collected four points from a possible 12.

    They take on Luton at home next.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Garry: How much credit does Chris Wilder deserve for this?! Sets Sheffield Utd up perfectly. Solid at the back, stifling everything Villa have given and a sucker punch at the other end!

  4. Postpublished at 22:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham has just said he "was 100% confident" Villa's disallowed goal was going to overturned.

    Full quotes from him and both managers to come.

  5. Postpublished at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Zaniolo's goal (96:59) was the latest equaliser Aston Villa have scored in the Premier League on record (since at least 2006-07).

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    Chris: And this is why we love the festive fixtures. This time of year makes and breaks a season. Villa's wheels have fallen off here!

    Anon: Being at the top of the table isn't for everyone, the pressure was beginning to show during Villa's last game, they'll do well to maintain the intensity of character and performances needed to make a push for the title.

  7. 'Sheffield United will be happy'published at 22:06 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Gary Neville
    Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

    There will be disappointment from both sides after that point.

    When it all settles down, Sheffield United will be happy with that point when they're on the coach home.

    Aston Villa will have to be aware that they're going to come up against a lot of that.

  8. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United are now off the bottom of the table and are five points off safety. Burnley drop to 20th.

  9. Postpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    I have no idea who will be happier with that point, and that's why football is brilliant.

  10. FULL-TIMEpublished at 90+11 mins

    Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    That's us done. Aston Villa's long winning run at home comes to an end.

    Unai Emery and Chris WilderImage source, Getty Images
  11. YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+10 mins

    Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa have two crosses cleared and then Matty Cash is booked for stopping a James McAtee counter.

    Cash is down, he's hurt his shoulder.

  12. Postpublished at 90+9 mins

    Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United

    Auston Trusty is booked for stopping Zaniolo getting to the ball after the goal.

    Time is up. But still we play.

  13. goal

    GOAL - Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield Unitedpublished at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    Nicolò Zaniolo (90+7 mins)

    Relief!

    Aston Villa grab a late, late equaliser as Douglas Luiz chips in a cross and Nicolò Zaniolo beats keeper Wes Foderingham to the ball, heading into an empty net.

    Zaniolo grabs the ball and sprints it back to the centre circle.

    Nicolo Zaniolo celebrates with John McGinnImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 90+8 mins

    Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United

    It's cleared, but Villa still have the ball.

  15. Postpublished at 90+7 mins

    Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa have a late corner. Two minutes remain.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    After sitting at Anfield last season watching five Villa players booked for wasting time, karma!

    Pete

  17. YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+5 mins

    Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United

    Aston Villa's Nicolò Zaniolo is booked for arguing with the referee.

  18. Postpublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

    Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United

    I think Leicester lost their 18th game when they won the league by the way.

    So there's always that.

  19. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United

    Sheffield United are in total control. Villa look shaken and can't get the ball back.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2023

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    I'm so torn. On one hand, I wanted to see Villa go top of the table, but on the other, I love seeing the bottom team showing such character. This is what football is about!

    Anon