Aston Villa
8-9-12, 25 PTS
Saturday, 14 February 1976
1975-76
17th (-)
Lost
1-2
Sheffield United
2-7-20, 11 PTS
Division One
Bramall Lane
Attendance: 21,152
๐ฅ 14 Feb 1976, Villa 1-2 Sheffield United, Bramall Lane
Scorer(s) | Ray Graydon | 19' |
Assist(s) | Bobby McDonald | 19' |
Fixture List
๐ฅ 16 Aug 1975, Villa 1-2 Leeds, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 19 Aug 1975, Villa 1-1 QPR, Loftus Road
Division One
๐ฅ 23 Aug 1975, Villa 3-5 Norwich, Carrow Road
Division One
๐ฉ 27 Aug 1975, Villa 1-0 Manchester City, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 30 Aug 1975, Villa 1-0 Coventry, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 6 Sep 1975, Villa 0-3 Newcastle, St James'
Division One
๐ฉ 10 Sep 1975, Villa 2-0 Oldham, Villa Park
League Cup
๐ฉ 13 Sep 1975, Villa 2-0 Arsenal, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 17 Sep 1975, Villa 1-4 Antwerp, Bosuilstadion
UEFA Cup
๐ฅ 20 Sep 1975, Villa 0-3 Liverpool, Anfield
Division One
๐จ 23 Sep 1975, Villa 0-0 Wolves, Molineux
Division One
๐ฉ 27 Sep 1975, Villa 2-1 Birmingham, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 1 Oct 1975, Villa 0-1 Antwerp, Villa Park
UEFA Cup
๐จ 4 Oct 1975, Villa 0-0 Boro, Ayresome
Division One
๐ฅ 8 Oct 1975, Villa 1-2 United, Villa Park
League Cup
๐จ 11 Oct 1975, Villa 1-1 Spurs, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 18 Oct 1975, Villa 1-2 Everton, Goodison
Division One
๐จ 25 Oct 1975, Villa 1-1 Burnley, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 1 Nov 1975, Villa 0-3 Ipswich, Portman Road
Division One
๐ฉ 8 Nov 1975, Villa 5-1 Sheffield United, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 15 Nov 1975, Villa 0-2 United, Old Trafford
Division One
๐ฉ 22 Nov 1975, Villa 3-1 Everton, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 29 Nov 1975, Villa 1-1 Leicester, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 6 Dec 1975, Villa 1-1 Stoke, Victoria Ground
Division One
๐ฉ 13 Dec 1975, Villa 3-2 Norwich, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 20 Dec 1975, Villa 0-1 Leeds, Elland Road
Division One
๐ฉ 26 Dec 1975, Villa 4-1 West Ham, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 27 Dec 1975, Villa 0-2 Derby, Baseball Ground
Division One
๐จ 3 Jan 1976, Villa 1-1 Southampton, The Dell
FA Cup
๐ฅ 7 Jan 1976, Villa 1-2 Southampton, Villa Park
FA Cup
๐จ 10 Jan 1976, Villa 0-0 Arsenal, Highbury
Division One
๐จ 17 Jan 1976, Villa 1-1 Newcastle, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 31 Jan 1976, Villa 0-2 QPR, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 7 Feb 1976, Villa 1-2 Manchester City, Maine Road
Division One
๐ฅ 14 Feb 1976, Villa 1-2 Sheffield United, Bramall Lane
Division One
๐ฉ 21 Feb 1976, Villa 2-1 United, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 24 Feb 1976, Villa 1-1 Wolves, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 28 Feb 1976, Villa 2-2 Burnley, Turf Moor
Division One
๐จ 6 Mar 1976, Villa 0-0 Ipswich, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 13 Mar 1976, Villa 2-5 Spurs, White Hart Lane
Division One
๐จ 20 Mar 1976, Villa 2-2 Leicester, Filbert Street
Division One
๐จ 27 Mar 1976, Villa 0-0 Stoke, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฅ 3 Apr 1976, Villa 2-3 Birmingham, St Andrew's
Division One
๐จ 10 Apr 1976, Villa 0-0 Liverpool, Villa Park
Division One
๐จ 13 Apr 1976, Villa 1-1 Coventry, Highfield Road
Division One
๐จ 17 Apr 1976, Villa 2-2 West Ham, Upton Park
Division One
๐ฉ 19 Apr 1976, Villa 1-0 Derby, Villa Park
Division One
๐ฉ 24 Apr 1976, Villa 2-1 Boro, Villa Park
Division One
On This Day
Saturday, 14 February 1976
Villa suffer a shock defeat to bottom side Sheffield United as they lose on the road again, this time to a side cut adrift at the bottom of the table, fourteen points behind Ron Saundersโ men.
Ron Saunders' Villa make it eight wins, nine draws and twelve defeats in twenty nine League games following their return to the top flight.
Meanwhile, Frank Pimblett made his final appearance for Villa aged 18 before moving to Stockport County in July 1976. Pimblett played for Villa between 1974-75 and 1975-76 making 11 appearances.
Last 5: ๐จ ๐จ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
๐ 90 | ๐ฉ | 42 ๐จ | 22 ๐ฅ 26 | 1.64
Villa Career Form:
Top 6
Game #3372
Match Record
Season | 1975-76 |
Matchday | #35 |
League Match | #29 |
Manager Game | #90 |
Saturday, 14 February 1976
Game Record
Manager: Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Birkenhead, 1974-1982
Referee: David Richardson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Blackburn, 1973-1984
Kick off: 3.00pm
HT Score: ๐จ 1-1
FT Result: ๐ฅ Lost
FT Score: ๐ฅ 1-2
Last 5: ๐จ ๐จ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ
Head to Head
Previous 5 vs. Sheffield United: ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ
Total ๐ 114 | ๐ฉ W54 (47% ) | ๐จ D26 | ๐บ(70% ) | ๐ฅ L34 (30% ) | โฝ 224 | ๐ฅ 162 | GD 62
Trophy Cabinet
Aston Villa
League Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
League Cup Winners: ๐๐
Last Trophy: 1974-75
Sheffield United
League Champions: ๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐
League Cup Winners: โ
Last Trophy: 1924โ25
Squad News
Debut Appearances
None
Final Appearances
๐ด M Frank Pimblett | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1975-76 | ๐ 11 | 11 (0) | โฝ 0 | ๐ฅ 2 | ๐บ 6 | #573 |
Match Timeline
โฝ | 19โ Goal, 1-0, Ray Graydon, Assist by Bobby McDonald
๐ฅ
| 45โ Goal, 1-1, (Sheffield United), Alan Woodward
๐ | HT Sheffield United 1-1 Aston Villa
๐ฅ
| 57โ Goal, 1-2, (Sheffield United), Chris Guthrie
๐ | 59' Sub off, John Deehan, Sub on, Chico Hamilton
๐ | FT Sheffield United 2-1 Aston Villa
Officials
Referee: David Richardson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Blackburn, 1973-1984
Officials
Referee Profile
VAR Profile (Post 2021)
Officials
Villa Bookings
None
Villa Sendings Off
None
Opposition Bookings
None
Opposition Sendings Off
None
Match Stats
Not recorded
Line Up & Subs
Aston Villa
Ron Saunders | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 1974-1982
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Bobby McDonald | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ๐ฅ |
CB Chris Nicholl | ๐ฌ๐ง |
CB Ian Ross | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
M Frank Pimblett | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ด |
W Ray Graydon | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ |
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ |
Substitutes
๐ | M Chico Hamilton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | for F John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 59' |
Unused Substitutes
None
Sheffield United
Jimmy Sirrell | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
GK Jim Brown | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
LB Paul Garner | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB John Flynn | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Eddie Colquhoun | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Steve Ludlam | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Colin Franks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Mick Speight | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M David Bradford | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
W John McGeady | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
W Alan Woodward | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ |
CF Chris Guthrie | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ |
Substitutes
No Substitutions Made
Unused Substitutes
M Cliff Calvert | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Team News
Aston Villa
Injury | 5 |
CF Keith Leonard | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Charlie Aitken | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
Chris Nicholl, John Deehan and Bobby McDonald replace John Overton, Andy Gray and Chico Hamilton.
Sheffield United
Not Recorded
Matchday Squads
Aston Villa
Sheffield United
Match Media
What they Said
โHe [John Burridge] didnโt seem to move until Woodwardโs shot was past him and he or Chris Nicholl should have stopped Guthrie getting in his header.
โWe would have been five or six up at half time if we had stuck all our chances away.
โ[Leighton] Phillips was sweeping up in front of the back four and we were pushing the full-backs forward continually. And how can you say we were too negative when we created so many chanceโs?โ
Ron Saunders.
Aston Villaโs 2-1 defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday was not the happiest of starts to goalkeeper John Burridgeโs wedding weekend.
The ยฃ100,000 signing from Blackpool could be faulted for both the Sheffield goals. First he was deceived by Alan Woodwardโs curling angled drive seconds before half -time and then was caught in no - manโs land when Chris Guthrie headed the winner after 57 minutes.
โHe didnโt seem to move until Woodwardโs shot was past him and he or Chris Nicholl should have stopped Guthrie getting in his header.โ said Villa manager Ron Saunders, who believes that Burridgeโs marriage will make a world of difference to the goalkeeper since it will mean he can settle in the Midlands.
But it would be unfair to saddle Burridge with the full responsibility for the defeat.
Indeed, Saunders was far more angry about what was happening at the other end of the pitch.
โWe would have been five or six up at half - time if we had stuck all our chances away,โ he complained.
Yet everything pointed to Villaโs first away win of the season after Ray Graydon had put them in front after 19 minutes, then they seemed to treat the very mediocre Sheffield with too much respect.
With only John Deehan and Graydon up front and Leighton Phillips withdrawn into a very defensive role, Villaโs line-up was almost 5-3-2 and that kind of cautious approach allowed United the freedom they didnโt deserve.
But Saunders would not agree that his team were not positive enough. โPhillips was sweeping up in front of the back four and we were pushing the full-backs forward continually. And how can you say we were too negative when we created so many chanceโs?โ he asked.
It was significant, however, that when Phillips moved into more attacking positions later in the game Villa looked a more dangerous proposition and the excellent Bobby McDonald almost earned them a point several times now that he had the freedom to attack.
Sheffield never made it easy with their approach, which was based on fear, desperation and an agonising offside trap which must have caught Villa well over 20 times.
Match Highlights
Team Selection
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Substitutes
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 4
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 2
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 3
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 5
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
1975-76
First Team Squad
GK Jake Findlay | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #567 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Coventry City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2025
CB Chris Nicholl | ๐ฌ๐ง | #558 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Grimsby Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2024
CB Leighton Phillips | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ | #572 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Exeter City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
RB John Gidman | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #560 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Darlington FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Chico Hamilton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #536 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
St Jose Earthquakes ๐บ๐ธ Retired
M Gordon Cowans | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #582 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Burnley ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
W Ray Graydon | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #552 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Oxford United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Andy Gray | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #578 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Cheltenham Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Keith Leonard | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #561 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
GK Jim Cumbes | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #556 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Worcester City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB Ian Ross | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #557 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Valur Reykjavรญk ๐ฎ๐ธ Died 2019
LB Bobby McDonald | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #563 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Wolverhampton Wanderers ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
FB John Robson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #562 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Died 2004
M Dennis Mortimer | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #580 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Birmingham City ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
M Ian Hendry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | Unused Sub |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Hereford United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
W Steve Hunt | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #576 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Willenhall Town ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
F Brian Little | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #555 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Aston Villa ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF Sammy Morgan | ๐ฌ๐ง | #565 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Gorleston FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
GK John Burridge | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #577 |
Goalkeeper
Where are they now?
Blyth Spartans ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CB John Overton | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #581 |
Centre Back
Where are they now?
Gillingham FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
LB Charlie Aitken | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | #488 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
New York Cosmos ๐บ๐ธ Died 2023
RB Keith Masefield | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #575 |
Full Back
Where are they now?
DIO Haarlem ๐ณ๐ฑ Retired
M Frank Pimblett | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #574 |
Midfielder
Where are they now?
Brisbane City ๐ฆ๐บ Died 2024
W Frank Carrodus | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #569 |
Winger
Where are they now?
Altrincham FC ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
F Alan Peters | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ | Unused Sub |
Forward
Where are they now?
Hereford United ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
CF John Deehan | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #579 |
Forward
Where are they now?
Barnsley ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Retired
Matchday Programme
League Table
