Image source, Getty Images

The Times’ Charlotte Duncker says Aston Villa "are definitely in the conversation" as Premier League title contenders.

"They are showing that passion," Duncker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.

"Their form at home we know is ridiculous and they are unbeaten in 15. But their away form if they are going to stay in the title race is what has been costing them.

"To go to Brentford and come back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 is absolutely massive, especially on the back of a trip to Bosnia in midweek. People seem to be dismissing Villa when it comes to the title conversation as if they are just there for now to make up the numbers.

"If you go on the calendar year, no other team but Manchester City have taken more points than them. It’s not a fluke that they are up there. Since Emery has come in, they are a really good team and if you look at the way they played against City, we can see where they are at and they are definitely in the conversation.

"The win over Brentford was vital. If they are going to still be considered, it was one they needed to win. When they went 1-0 down and without Douglas Luiz, I don’t think they are as good a team. So to win without him as well was a really big result for them."

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If you'd told me Aston Villa could be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day after Newcastle thrashed them 5-1 on the opening day of the season, I probably would have laughed.

But if Villa beat Sheffield United on Friday - which you'd expect them to, with their superb record at Villa Park - and Liverpool draw with Arsenal on Saturday, then Unai Emery's side will be at the summit when everyone tucks into their turkey.

Being in the Europa Conference League has meant they have had to play a lot of games too but, as they showed when they beat Brentford, they are still able to find a way of getting a positive result even when they appear to be tired.

Emery deserves great credit for that, and he has done a remarkable job to get Villa where they are in the table. The question now is how long can they stay there?

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM

A fellow reporter suggested to me on Sunday that the win at Brentford is the one that tells you that Aston Villa are in the title race for real: "Now we know they can win ugly as well."

In their record-setting parade of wins so far, Villa have generally been either brilliantly creative (as against Manchester City), brilliantly disciplined (as against Arsenal) and sometimes both. On Sunday they were neither of those things, their large share of possession mostly neutralised by Brentford's defence until Ben Mee's dismissal opened up a little more space.

They also countered one of the main reasons given against them being contenders for a very high finish, an apparent lack of squad depth. Douglas Luiz and Lucas Digne served suspensions, Youri Tielemans was unfit, Leon Bailey not at full capacity and Pau Torres had to be replaced before the end. Despite all that, Villa found a way.

It was not a win without cost. Boubacar Kamara will miss three games now, while John McGinn, Matty Cash and Jhon Duran must negotiate the next two without a yellow card if they are to avoid a one-match ban.

I wonder if sometimes those of us who have never been at the centre of such an atmosphere are really qualified to judge players harshly when they behave badly. It's easy for us to tut when they step out of line and think: "Can’t they grow up and control themselves?" But I note that neither Unai Emery nor Thomas Frank offered this defence to their players.

"Some provocation maybe," said Emery. "But it's not an excuse. I want to analyse the match - firstly how we played, and then trying to improve our behaviour as a team."

Any other result than a Villa win over Sheffield United on Friday would be a coupon-busting shock. Every Villa fan knows what it would mean. Even one night at the Premier League summit would crown a year of dazzling achievement.

In that glare, looking to higher hurdles beyond, it would be easy to trip over such a low bar. Villa fans can depend on Emery to remind his players that the next single step is always the most important.

* Aston Villa v Sheffield United – live commentary on BBC Radio WM (all frequencies except online), Friday 20:00 GMT

* BBC Radio WM Football Phone-In - all frequencies and BBC Sounds, weeknights 18:00 GMT

Aston Villa are in the position they are on merit and are really riding very high - but I think they have to have everything going for them.

Is their current squad strong enough to mount a serious title challenge? Maybe not. They are going to need everybody to stay fit. The key is for them not to lose too many players for a long period.

Emi Martinez is playing a role and understands what is needed. He gets involved a little too much at times but is a top goalkeeper and a great presence in the goal.

I feel that they will need to improve their distribution slightly if they are going to continue this momentum. Their December fixtures are not too bad though so they can just look at what is in front of them.

They will be confident against Sheffield United, Manchester United will not faze them and then they are at home to Burnley.

They have a really good run and if they keep everyone as fit as possible and keep that consistency up, they are going to be right in the mix.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Ellie Thomason

Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba on the Blades Heaven Podcast: "After all the buoyancy of the previous two games, the Chelsea match was a reminder that it's both sides. Everyone has been saying how brilliant the intensity has been, and it was again today but you've got to remember that this is the Premier League.

"You can't question what we saw commitment wise but you're playing against top world players, World Cup winners. Everything you do with the ball has to be perfect and unfortunately today it wasn't. Our quality players on the ball like Hamer and McAtee weren't able to pass the ball and able to retain possession and that makes it difficult.

"They didn't lose their way, they didn't down tools and look lost, so there are positives. The manager can assess more in these games what he needs in January. The boys have to remember that this is like an audition, you're auditioning for the second half of the season here."

Aston Villa were in the Championship four years ago. Sheffield United were in League One in 2017.

Kieran, Melbourne: Lifelong villa fan. Currently on a long planned trip to Australia. Getting up at 06.30 here to tune into the match as as I've seen so many negative times at the club, it would be incredible to see us top in December.

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."

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What is your best memory of following Sheffield United at Christmas?

Let us know here

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to the media to preview tonight's Premier League game at Aston Villa earlier this week.

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 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 naïve" 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.

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.

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.

Jay: So Unai has gone for Lenglet instead of Diego Carlos who, in the past, has played as a left sided centre back and has been in terrific form. Of course in Unai we trust, but I hope this isn't a move to appease Barca. The decision might come back to bite us tonight.

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.

Mark, Blades fan: I fancy Sheffield United to win tonight. Playing better under Wilder against a Villa team who might just be feeling the pressure to perform at home... Oh who I am kidding, we'll get thrashed.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Villa Park

How about an Aston Villa-branded plush stegosaurus? Or maybe a hipflask? Perhaps a club tie - they are half price in the club shop.

Among the shoppers I spotted earlier was former Villa striker turned Sky Sports pundit Alan McInally. Maybe he was getting a soft toy dinosaur for Simon Thomas.

Image source, Emma Smith

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

So what is your best memory of following Villa 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

Rob: I predict the first goal will be scored by Cameron Archer. Its written in the stars, isn't it? Hopefully, Villa will still win tonight and wont be overcome with all this top of the table talk. Need to treat it like "the next game."

Richard Sutherland, The Villa Park Podcast., external

Top of the league!

What a year it has been for Aston Villa! Villa supporters are already in dreamland and have been pretty much in this state since Unai Emery walked through the door.

There have been 25 wins in the calendar year, accumulating 81 points, a total that is only bettered by treble winning Manchester City, we are now seeing both Emery and the players starting to get the credit they deserve from all quarters of the football world.

To top this Christmas off, being top of the league would be the icing on the cake or the flame on top of the Christmas pudding.

Of course nothing is won yet, and to maintain a title challenge will be incredibly difficult, but could Aston Villa become the 17th team that were top at Christmas to go on and win it in the Premier League era?

• 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.

OK, may have snuck an earlier error into tonight's live. Aston Villa aren't waiting to go top of the Premier League for the first time since the nineties, they were actually top in August 2011.

But that was only after matchday two. This would be the first time they have been top 18 matches into the season since December 1998.

You're in safe hands with me, oops!