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Chris Wilder’s men dug deep on home soil, securing a vital three points thanks to David McGoldrick’s 30th-minute strike, sinking an Aston Villa side even with ten men.
George Baldock’s driven cross escaped the clutches of any black shirt, McGoldrick was at hand to tap home, his two-yard strike deflected in off the bar. Ultimately providing all three points for the home side.
The 33-year-old, a veteran of the English football leagues and now the Premier League has six goals to his name for the campaign. Whereas his counterpart, Rhian Brewster, a record signing for the Blades is yet to open his scoring account.
Ping it out wide. Run to the back post. Score the goal!
Class from Sheffield United's David McGoldrick ? pic.twitter.com/6SfLUYGMMO
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 3, 2021
McGoldrick now brings his career goals tally to 121 in 478 appearances, scoring in three of the four divisions in England.
Ageing like fine wine, the Irishman helped Wilder’s men to victory. Now only three points from 19th placed West Brom and nine points from Fulham, Sheffield United may well be mounting a gutsy escape from the relegation zone with 11 games remaining.
Being on the wrong end of results is something the Blades have faced this season, injuries plaguing a hardworking squad has clearly hindered the progress of Wilder’s side. However, a potential turn in form may be on the horizons for Sheffield United as they host a woeful Southampton side this weekend.
The Villans simply weren’t up to scratch on Wednesday night, despite carving out a number of key chances, nothing would go past Aaron Ramsdale in the Blades’ net. Villa came closest with Ollie Watkins’ second-half header which struck the upright, ultimately sealing sorrow as Smith’s men return to B6 empty-handed.
With Sheffield United’s parking the bus approach, the Lions faced a difficult challenge of breaking down this system deployed by Wilder. More often than not, the Blades had all 11 men behind the ball, that is until Phil Jagielka’s sending off following a VAR decision.
Subject to controversy, the former Everton man halted Villa’s counterattack, Anwar El Ghazi collected Ezri Konsa’s lurching ball. In no time the 38-year-old defender wiped out the Dutchman, leaving those in the stands in outrage at the referee’s decision. The Premier League veteran now becomes the oldest player in the top flight to be sent off.
38y 198d – Phil Jagielka is the second oldest player ever sent off in the Premier League (38y 198d), behind only Stuart Pearce in March 2001 for West Ham vs Everton (38y 341d). Lunge. pic.twitter.com/jQESWQ6XhR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2021
In a game in which the West Midlands club dominated in possession, 72%-28%, Smith’s side failed to break down the stubborn Blades defence. Sheffield United made 47 clearances from the relentless onslaught, a busy night at the back for Wilder’s men but a positive one as they secured a vital win on home soil.
The Villans had a claim for a penalty denied by the referee, being the correct decision too. Watkins found himself through on goal but two onrushing defenders sandwiched the 25-year-old, with initial contact starting outside the area it was a lucky escape for the Blades.
In the dying embers of the game, Ramsdale and Oliver Norwood were at hand to prevent a last gasp equaliser. The former Bournemouth shot-stopper reacted extremely well to Konsa’s effort, the 22-year-old ‘keeper got down to his near post in quick time parrying the Villa’s defender shot in the path of Ross Barkley but Norwood was at hand to sweep up any leftovers.
Big Save. Big Clearance. ?
Norwood & Ramsdale to the rescue at the death! pic.twitter.com/rIC3CobOun
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 3, 2021
Aston Villa now turn to the weekend, hosting local rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Another huge match Smith’s men need to win if they’re to climb the league table however, potentially still without Jack Grealish and Matty Cash this will be a tricky task for the Lions.
Ultimately the desire and hard graft by the Blades massively outweighed anything the Villans put together, a great result for Wilder’s men who will now look to go on a positive run of form if they’re to fend off relegation to the Championship.
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