Game #5696
Aston Villa
12-3-3, 39 PTS

Friday, 22 December 2023
1st= (+1)
Last 5: ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐จ
GK Emiliano Martรญnez | ๐ฆ๐ท |
RB Matty Cash | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ ๐ต๐ฑ | ๐จ |
CB Ezri Konsa | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Clรฉment Lenglet | ๐ซ๐ท |
LB Lucas Digne | ๐ซ๐ท | ๐ |
M John McGinn | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Douglas Luiz | ๐ง๐ท | ๐ฅ |
M Jacob Ramsey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
W Leon Bailey | ๐ฏ๐ฒ | ๐จ | ๐ |
W Moussa Diaby | ๐ซ๐ท | ๐ |
CF Ollie Watkins | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Unai Emery | ๐ช๐ธ | 2022-

Substitutes
๐ | LB รlex Moreno | ๐ช๐ธ | for LB Lucas Digne | ๐ซ๐ท | 74โ |
๐ | CF Jhon Durรกn | ๐จ๐ด | ๐จ | for W Moussa Diaby | ๐ซ๐ท | 74โ |
๐ | M Nicolรฒ Zaniolo | ๐ฎ๐น | โฝ | for W Leon Bailey | ๐ฏ๐ฒ | 81โ |
Unused Substitutes
GK Filip Marschall | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Calum Chambers | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CB Diego Carlos | ๐ง๐ท |
M Leander Dendoncker | ๐ง๐ช |
M Tim Iroegbunam | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M Tommi O'Reilly | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
๐จ Leon Bailey, Bad foul (12)
๐จ Nicolรฒ Zaniolo, Protesting (6)
๐จ Matty Cash, Bad foul (26)
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Trophy Record
European Cup / Champions League: ๐
League Champions: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
League Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐๐
Last Trophy: 1995-96
Matchday Squad
GK Emiliano Martรญnez | ๐ฆ๐ท | ยฃ15.66m |
GK Filip Marschall | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Youth |
CB Diego Carlos | ๐ง๐ท | ยฃ27.90m |
CB Ezri Konsa | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ11.97m |
CB Calum Chambers | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Free |
CB Clรฉment Lenglet | ๐ซ๐ท | Loan |
LB Lucas Digne | ๐ซ๐ท | ยฃ27.00m |
RB Matty Cash | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ ๐ต๐ฑ | ยฃ14.18m |
LB รlex Moreno | ๐ช๐ธ | ยฃ11.59m |
M Douglas Luiz | ๐ง๐ท | ยฃ15.12m |
M Leander Dendoncker | ๐ง๐ช | ยฃ12.88m |
M John McGinn | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ยฃ2.79m |
M Jacob Ramsey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Youth |
M Tim Iroegbunam | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Youth |
M Tommi O'Reilly | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Youth |
M Nicolรฒ Zaniolo | ๐ฎ๐น | Loan |
W Moussa Diaby | ๐ซ๐ท | ยฃ47.66m |
W Leon Bailey | ๐ฏ๐ฒ | ยฃ28.80m |
CF Ollie Watkins | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ30.60m |
CF Jhon Durรกn | ๐จ๐ด | ยฃ14.28m |
Unavailable
Injury | 6 |
W Emiliano Buendรญa | ๐ฆ๐ท | ACL, 12 Aug 2023 [27]
CB Tyrone Mings | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ACL, 20 Aug 2023 [26]
W Bertrand Traorรฉ | ๐ง๐ซ | Muscular, 26 Nov 2023 [8]
M Youri Tielemans | ๐ง๐ช | Calf, 17 Dec 2023 [2]
CB Pau Torres | ๐ช๐ธ | Ankle, 22 Dec 2023 [1]
GK Robin Olsen | ๐ธ๐ช | 22 Dec 2023 [1]
Suspension | 1 |
M Boubacar Kamara | ๐ซ๐ท |
Out On Loan | 7 |
RB Kaine Kesler-Hayden | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Plymouth
CF Louie Barry | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Stockport
GK Viljami Sinisalo | ๐ซ๐ฎ | Exeter
M Morgan Sanson | ๐ซ๐ท | Nice
M Finn Azaz | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Plymouth
CB Lamare Bogarde | ๐ณ๐ฑ | Bristol Rovers
M Philippe Coutinho | ๐ง๐ท | Al-Duhail
Team News
Douglas Luiz and Lucas Digne return from suspension but Boubacar is ruled out for the first of three games following the War of West London. Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans are ruled out too. Clรฉment Lenglet makes his first start for Villa.
Team Stats
Squad Average Age: | 26.23 |
Starting XI Average Age: | 27.20 |
Subs Average Age: | 24.98 |
Bench Average Age: | 25.05 |
Oldest Starter: GK Emiliano Martรญnez | ๐ฆ๐ท | 31.32 |
Youngest Starter: M Jacob Ramsey | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 22.58 |
Oldest Squad Player: GK Emiliano Martรญnez | ๐ฆ๐ท | 31.32 |
Youngest Squad Player: CF Jhon Durรกn | ๐จ๐ด | 20.03 |
Oldest Substitute: LB รlex Moreno | ๐ช๐ธ | 30.40 |
Youngest Substitute: CF Jhon Durรกn | ๐จ๐ด | 20.03 |
Debut Appearances
None
Final Appearances
None
Scorer(s): Nicolรฒ Zaniolo | 90โ+7 |
Assist(s): Douglas Luiz | 90'+7 |
Match Timeline
๐ | 11โ Ollie Watkins pushed to the ground in the box by Vinicius Souza, Referee Taylor denies penalty
๐ฅ | 12โ VAR rules no penalty as the error, although admitted, was not โclear and obviousโ. Yep really.
๐ฅ | 14โ VAR rules a handball in the box by a Sheffield United player is not a penalty
๐ | 19โ Handball in the area by a Sheffield United player, no VAR review
๐ | 45โ+3 HT Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United
๐จ | 49โ Booking, Leon Bailey, Bad foul
โฝ | 59โ Goal, 1-0, Leon Bailey
๐ฅ | 62โ VAR disallows goal after a 3 minute review for foul on the goalkeeper. โAlthough not immediately clear, replays showed Ramsey had held Foderingham's arm at the set piece.โ Clear and obvious?
๐ฅ | 72โ Another Handball in the area by a Sheffield United player
๐ฅ | 72โ VAR again rules a handball in the box by a Sheffield United player is not a penalty
๐ | 74โ Sub off, Lucas Digne, Sub on, รlex Moreno
๐ | 74โ Sub off, Moussa Diaby, Sub on, Jhon Durรกn
๐ | 81โ Sub off, Leon Bailey, Sub on, Nicolรฒ Zaniolo
๐ฅ | 86โ VAR review for a red card offence for a Jhon Durรกn that did not even constitute a foul.
๐ฅ
| 87โ Goal, 0-1, (Sheffield United), Cameron Archer
๐จ | 90โ+5 Booking, Nicolรฒ Zaniolo, Arguing with the referee for what was a terrible performance from the officials
โฝ | 90โ+7 Goal, 1-1, Nicolรฒ Zaniolo, Assist by Douglas Luiz
๐จ | 90โ+10 Booking, Matty Cash, Bad foul
๐ | 90โ+11 HT Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United
Season | 2023-24 |
Matchday | #27 |
League Game | #18 |
Manager Game | #54 |
Friday, 22 December 2023
Attendance | 41,651 |
Match Record
Game Record
Manager: Unai Emery | ๐ช๐ธ | Hondarribia, 2022-
Referee:ย Anthony Taylor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Wythenshaw, 2009-
Kick off: 8.00pm
HT Score: ๐จ 0-0
FT Result: ๐จ Drew
FT Score: ๐จ 1-1
Last 5: ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐จ ๐ฉ ๐จ
Officials
Referee:ย Anthony Taylor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Wythenshaw, 2009-
Assistants:ย Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Darren Bond.
John Brooks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Leicestershire, 2016-
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.
Referee:ย Anthony Taylor | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Wythenshaw, 2009-
๐ 30 | ๐ฉ 13 | ๐จ 6 | ๐ฅ 11 | ๐ : 5
๐ 30 | ๐ฉ 43% | ๐จ 20% | ๐ฅ 37% | ๐ : 17%
Cards ๐จ 63 | ๐ฅ 3 | 2.20 |
Penalty โฝ 4 | ๐ฅ
1 |
Last 5: ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐ฉ ๐จ
VAR: John Brooks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Leicestershire, 2022-
Games: ๐ 5 ๐ฉ W20% ๐ฅ L40% | Last 5: ๐ฉ ๐ฅ ๐จ ๐ฅ ๐จ
Pens: โฝ 0 ๐ฅ
2 โ 4 Refused | Goals: โฝ Disallowed : 1
Match Stats
Possession F | 78%โจ
Possession A | 22%โจ
Shots F | 11
Shots A | 5
Shots on Target F | 4
Shots on Target A | 2
Corners F | 9
Corners A | 1
Fouls F | 11
Fouls A | 16
Unai Emery | ๐ช๐ธ | 2022-
๐ 54 | ๐ฉ | 33 ๐จ | 8 ๐ฅ 13 | 1.98
Villa Career Form:
Top 4

Premier League
Sheffield United
2-3-13, 9 PTS
Villa Park
Attendance: 41,651
GK Wes Foderingham | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Jack Robinson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Yasser Larouci | ๐ซ๐ท | ๐จ | ๐ |
CB Auston Trusty | ๐บ๐ธ | ๐จ |
RB George Baldock | ๐ฌ๐ท |
RB Jayden Bogle | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐จ |
M Vini Souza | ๐ง๐ท |
M Oliver Norwood | ๐ฌ๐ง |
M Anis Slimane | ๐ฉ๐ฐ | ๐ |
M Andre Brooks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ๐ |
CF Cameron Archer (ex) | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | โฝ | ๐ |
Chris Wilder | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Substitutes
๐ | LB Max Lowe | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | for LB Yasser Larouci | ๐ซ๐ท | 58โ |
๐ | M Gustavo Hamer | ๐ณ๐ฑ | for M Andre Brooks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 58โ |
๐ | M James McAtee | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | for M Anis Slimane | ๐ฉ๐ฐ | 76โ |
๐ | CF Oliver McBurnie | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | for CF Cameron Archer (ex) | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | 90โ+1 |
Unused Substitutes
GK Adam Davies | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
LB Luke Thomas | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
M John Fleck | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ |
M Ben Osborn | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CF Bรฉnie Traorรฉ | ๐จ๐ฎ |
Yellow Cards (Warnings, Cautions, Bookings)
๐จ Yasser Larouci
๐จ Auston Trusty
๐จ Jayden Bogle
Red Cards (Ordered from Field of Play, Dismissals, Sendings Off)
None
Opposition Trophy Record
European Cup / Champions League: โ
League Champions: ๐
FA Cup Winners: ๐๐๐๐
League Cup Winners: โ
Last Trophy: 1924โ25
Opposition Matchday Squad
GK Adam Davies | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ | ยฃ0.26m |
GK Wes Foderingham | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Free |
CB Auston Trusty | ๐บ๐ธ | ยฃ5.00m |
RB Jayden Bogle | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ3.31m |
LB Max Lowe | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ3.31m |
RB George Baldock | ๐ฌ๐ท | ยฃ0.64m |
LB Jack Robinson | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Free |
LB Yasser Larouci | ๐ซ๐ท | Loan |
LB Luke Thomas | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Loan |
M Gustavo Hamer | ๐ณ๐ฑ | ยฃ17.30m |
M Vini Souza | ๐ง๐ท | ยฃ10.33m |
M Ben Osborn | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ3.35m |
M Oliver Norwood | ๐ฌ๐ง | ยฃ1.89m |
M Andre Brooks | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Youth |
M Anis Slimane | ๐ฉ๐ฐ | Free |
M John Fleck | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | Free |
M James McAtee | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | Loan |
CF Cameron Archer (ex) | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | ยฃ18.49m |
CF Oliver McBurnie | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ | ยฃ16.43m |
CF Bรฉnie Traorรฉ | ๐จ๐ฎ | ยฃ4.00m |
Opposition Unavailable
Injury | 6 |
CB Chris Basham | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
LB Rhys Norrington-Davies | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ |
CB John Egan | ๐ฎ๐ช |
M Tom Davies | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
CF Daniel Jebbison | ๐จ๐ฆ |
CF Rhian Brewster | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |

Starting XI
Substitutes
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 4
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
None
๐
๐
โฝ
๐ฅ
Sub 5
๐ฉ
๐จ
๐ฅ
Match Media
On This Day
Villa go joint top of the Premier League but the 15 game winning run is over as more shocking VAR calls do the damage again.
Moussa Diaby makes his 25th appearance for Villa (20th Start) to record W16 D4 L5, 4 Goals, 4 Assists and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.
What they Said
"We weren't at our free-flowing best that's for sure. Sheffield United were better at their plan than we were tonight.
"We didn't create enough chances and certainly need to improve if teams play like this against us again.
"We're joint-top of the league at the moment. Yes we're disappointed not to go outright top but we need to put it into perspective. We've been on a superb run at home and it was bound to come to an end at some point.
"It shows the mentality shift that this feels like a defeat. We wanted to win, even at the end we put the pressure on."
"I think it's a wee bit harsh [the incorrectly VAR disallowed goal]. Goalkeepers are protected and I'm not sure what the rules are on phases of play. That's one for the referees.
"Things go for you and against you. The last time we played Sheffield United here the goalie carried the ball over the line."
John McGinn shows his class on and off the pitch as only a Villa boy can do.
"Today was a very important match. We had to win, but I'm happy with my first goal in the Premier League, but I prefer three points.
"When I come on the pitch, the team needed a goal. After I scored, it was a little bit better.
"VAR is part of the game. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is not good. Today we have to win the match not with VAR.
"Villa Park is a difficult place to play. Sheffield is a good team and it was a good team. It was a hard match and we wanted three points."
Nicolรฒ Zaniolo.
*I watched a good game, of course two teams trying to play. But it was not dramatic and with incident.
"We have been on a run and we know things can change and today it did, but I am very happy with the players. I have to accept the draw and I am very, very happy.
"Yes we deserved more than one point. We controlled the game in the first half like we were preparing. They were defending really well. But in 90 minutes we only lost control after VAR refused our goal. We were absent for the minutes afterwards and conceded."
"It was not the correct decision but I always accept the VAR.
"I think today VAR was too much. Not necessary to review as much as they reviewed. And for the goal it was a second action. We recovered the ball and then we score. It was not necessary to review this.
"For me I accept VAR, but it's not necessary always.
*I am very happy and very proud of the players. It was very difficult to keep our winning record. They defended really well.
"We played well for the first 70 minutes and after they refused our goal we were upset and we lost control. They scored their goal and in the end we drew, it was fantastic to get a draw today.
"I accept VAR always. But only today I think it was too much. It was not necessary to review two or three times in the first half. And the goal, it was not necessary. Normally we can accept this goal.
"We are disappointed with the result today but we are accepting it. We have to focus for the next match against Manchester United, it will be incredible."
Unai Emery, illustrates his class once again.
"We work hard on the training pitch. We came here to win and we're disappointed."
Cameron Archer drinks the Kool-Aid.

