Aston Villa is poised to top the Premier League with a victory over Sheffield United, a testament to the transformative impact of manager Unai Emery. Emery, who discussed five key factors to their success, has guided the team to third place, with the potential to be league leaders by Christmas, a position often indicative of title success. The team's evolution into contenders is credited to Emery's fluid tactics and the contributions of players like Clement Lenglet, who made his first Premier League start. In their game against Sheffield United, Aston Villa dominated possession and showcased strong passing, despite Sheffield United's low possession and pass success rate. The match was marked by several contentious penalty decisions, with VAR reviewing multiple fouls on Villa players, including Konsa and Watkins, but none were awarded.
🤔Should Villa have had a penalty awarded? #BBCFootball #AVLSHU https://t.co/4HyfaLxlCx
Unai Emery exchanges a few words with referee Anthony Taylor. Emery is unhappy with the number of fouls Sheffield United are making and their attempts to break up the game. Can't help but feel that if/when #AVFC get one, they will get quite a few. Konsa has just headed over.
Sheffield United have registered 15% possession in the first 20 mins with a 33% pass success rate. John McGinn's passing from deep has been excellent. Sheffield United resorting to just clearing - anywhere, anyhow - to safety. Could be seen as a peppering without the goals. #AVFC
Inside two minutes, VAR have checked for three different penalties inside Sheffield United's box. Somehow, for whatever reason, none of them are given. The holding both on Konsa and Watkins was blatant. #AVFC
How was that not a pen for #Villa ? I don’t understand the rules anymore #AVFCSHE
VAR checking for ANOTHER penalty on Ezri Konsa. Surely that's a penalty now. #AVFC
No penalty, somehow - so clumsy from Souza. Surprised by that. #AVFC https://t.co/s62SelWzNI
Vini Souza has literally just run and pushed Watkins in the back in the penalty area. VAR checking penalty call. #AVFC
Clement Lenglet is quickly replicating the 'Pau Torres to Leon Bailey diagonal'. #AVFC tasked with breaking down a 5-4-1 low block here. Bailey and Diaby have looked sharp combining early on. Always a sense Diaby is better when he has pace outside of him on the right.
🚨 We're underway at Villa Park! Join us for Aston Villa v Sheffield United 🔥 Tap below for full match commentary. #BringItOn #AVLSHU
Big game at Villa Park 🙌 Aston Villa will go top of the Premier League if they beat Sheffield United tonight 🔝 #BBCFootball #AVLSHU
Villa Park’s “maiden mobile phone light show” is underway. A festive Friday treat, some may call it. Anyway, #AVFC’s @TheAthleticFC matchday discussion is HERE: https://t.co/9ryyjxdMfY https://t.co/brq8EDrB4u
Said yesterday about Lenglet coming in for his 1st PL start. Emery wanted a left-footed option in the summer (to replace injured Mings) & with Pau Torres injured, it was always likely Lenglet was going to come in ahead of Carlos.Left-footer key to breaking down a low block. #AVFC
Aston Villa v Sheffield United: Premier League – live https://t.co/jZSzDKvKWT
5️⃣ factors in Aston Villa's success✨ In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery discusses why his team can go top of the table tonight 🌟
⚽️ How Aston Villa morphed into Premier League title contenders ✍️ @GregorRoberts0n explains how two trusty lieutenants, fluid tactics and an unlikely talisman have helped Unai Emery turn a struggling side into potential table-toppers within 14 months ⬇️ https://t.co/KCwmOyW8US
Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery is no fluke – they are third on merit | Karen Carney https://t.co/T4wGejkZMv
If results go their way over the coming days, Aston Villa will be top of the Premier League at Christmas. Would that be an indicator of likely title success? We look back at what being in first place on December 25 has meant for those clubs who have been there. ⬇️ @will_jeanes