[monks data]

Premier League | Gameweek 18

Dec 22, 2023 at 8pm UK

Villa Park

Aston Villa
1 - 1
Sheff Utd

Zaniolo (90+7')
Bailey (49'), Zaniolo (90+5'), Cash (90+10')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Archer (87')
Larouci (51'), Bogle (69'), Trusty (90+8')

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery content with "very good point" against Sheffield United

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 December 2023

Unai Emery insists that he sees Aston Villa's 1-1 draw against Sheffield United as "a very good point" despite missing out on moving top of the Premier League table.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has suggested that he is satisfied with his side's 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on Friday night.

The West Midlands outfit went into the contest having recorded 15 Premier League victories at their home ground in succession and having the chance to move top of the standings.

Facing the division's bottom-placed side, it was perceived to be the perfect fixture, but Villa required a 97th-minute equaliser from Nicolo Zaniolo to cancel out Cameron Archer's opener in the closing stages of normal time.

Earlier in the contest, Villa - who were below their best - saw VAR chalk off what they thought was an opening goal after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have fouled Blades goalkeeper Wes Fotheringham.

That particular decision took several minutes to reach, Emery visibly frustrated on the sidelines, gesticulating that he disagreed with the call.

Referee Anthony Taylor disallows an Aston Villa goal against Sheffield United on December 22, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking after the match, the Spaniard acknowledged that his side did not react well enough to that disappointment, insisting that the point against the Yorkshire outfit should be perceived to be "a very good" one.

Emery said, as quoted by BBC Sport: "It was a very good point. We were expecting Sheffield to be defensively very strong, in their plan they were successful and they scored when we lost control of the game in the last 20 minutes.

"We were upset and frustrated after the review for the goal. We have to understand decisions even if we don't agree, and we lost control of the game.

"We were frustrated, I wanted three points but we have to appreciate how well Sheffield played today."

As well as missing out on the chance to move into top spot, Villa will drop back down to third if Liverpool avoid defeat against Arsenal on Saturday evening.

If Liverpool were to run out victors by a four-goal margin, Villa would retain second on goal difference, while eyes will also be on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur - who are six points adrift - as they play host to Everton.