The new English Premier League season continues this week and on Monday the 21st of September there are two matches to enjoy, beginning with the meeting between Aston Villa and Sheffield United. The game will be played at Villa Park, with the hosts featuring in their first match of the 2020/21 Premier League season and the visitors playing their second game.
Aston Villa come into the match having played in the League Cup on Tuesday night. They defeated Burton Albion 3-1 away from home despite conceding a goal after only 2 minutes. Aston Villa scored the equaliser close to half time and won the match with two late goals.
However, that was only their third win in their last 16 games in all competitions and Dean Smith will know his team cannot afford to continue with such a poor winning record if they are to avoid relegation this season. Aston Villa finished strongly towards the end of last season, winning 2 and drawing 2 of their last 4 matches. Both victories came at home against Crystal Palace and Arsenal and ended a run of 3 consecutive home defeats.
Trends show there have been under 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Aston Villa's last 8 Premier League games, including 3 of their last 4 at home.
Sheffield United started their Premier League campaign with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both goals came early in the game and The Blades found themselves 2-0 down after only 6 minutes. Sheffield United improved in the second half and pushed to find the goals they needed to get back in the game but did not manage to find the back of the net.
That result means Sheffield United have suffered 4 straight defeats in the Premier League with the other losses coming at Leicester City and Southampton plus at home against Everton.
Trends show Sheffield United have been struggling to win matches away from home in the Premier League. They have failed to win any of their last 6 away games in the competition and only 1 of their last 10 on the road.
Sheffield United have conceded at least 3 goals in 3 of their 5 most recent away Premier League matches and have suffered 4 losses by 2 or more goals in those 5 games.
Team news and Aston Villa will be without goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley Moraes. Emiliano Martínez has recently joined the club from Arsenal and should take his place in goal for this game.
Sheffield United travel without Lys Mousset and Simon Moore who are injured. It will be interesting to see if Chris Wilder makes any changes to his starting XI, especially following the League Cup match at Burnley.
Aston Villa will be hoping to take advantage of Sheffield United’s recent struggles and could begin their Premier League campaign with a victory. Considering Sheffield United’s most recent away Premier League results, Aston Villa could win this game by a 2 goal margin.