Sheffield United 1-0 Aston Villa: David McGoldrick’s first-half strike secures precious win despite dismissal of Phil Jagielka as struggling Blades dent European hopes of visitors
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David McGoldrick kept 10-man Sheffield United’s wafer-thin survival hopes alive as they overcame more VAR controversy to record only their fourth league win of the season.
The Blades clung on after referee Robert Jones upgraded Phil Jagielka’s yellow card to a red on VAR review early in the second half, and they are now 12 points adrift of safety with 11 games remaining.
It still remains an enormous task for Chris Wilder’s team. But after the manager publicly cast doubt on his future this week due to ongoing differences with the club’s board, he will have been greatly heartened by his team’s courage and determination.
Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick put the home side ahead in the first-half
MATCH FACTS
Sheffield United (3-5-2): Ramsdale 7; Ampadu 6.5, Jagielka 5, Bryan 6.5; BALDOCK 7.5, Lundstram 6.5, Norwood 6.5, Fleck 7, Stevens 6; Brewster 5.5 (Burke 61, 5 (McBurnie 89)), McGoldrick 7 (Osborn 73, 6.5).
Subs not used: Foderingham, McBurnie, Sharp, Mousset, Lowe, Ndiaye, Maguire.
Scorers: McGoldrick 31
Sent off: Jagielka
Booked: McGoldrick
Manager: Chris Wilder 7
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez 6; Elmohamady 5.5, Konsa 6, Mings 6.5, Targett 5.5; McGinn 6.5, Nakamba 5.5 (Sanson 68, 6), Ramsey 5.5 (Barkley 68, 6); Traore 6 (Davis 81), Watkins 7, El Ghazi 6.
Subs not used: Heaton, Taylor, Douglas Luiz, Trezeguet, Engels, Kesler Hayden.
Manager: Dean Smith 5.5
Referee: Robert Jones 5.5
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Without injured captain Jack Grealish, Villa piled on the pressure in the closing minutes but this was a huge missed opportunity to move closer to the European places.
Ollie Watkins was their best player and hit the post with a second-half header yet despite playing against 10 men for more than half an hour, they could not make their advantage count.
Blades boss Wilder also showed his ruthless streak by bringing off substitute Oli Burke, who had replaced Rhian Brewster on the hour, with two minutes left.
Despite their multiple injuries, the home side were more than a match for Villa in a competitive opening half, though the first good chance fell to Dean Smith’s men.
McGoldrick slid in at the far post for the opening goal in the 30th minute on Tuesday night
Ollie Watkins won an important header after Bertrand Traore’s shot was blocked and McGinn outmuscled Kean Bryan at the far post only to drag the ball wide.
McGoldrick was a regular menace for United and Ahmed Elmohamady produced a vital block to stop his volley troubling Emiliano Martinez. Then at the other end, after a clever combination between McGinn and Anwar El Ghazi, Aaron Ramsdale did well to keep out Watkins’ angled drive.
Watkins was particularly lively early on and had a penalty appeal turned down when he was barged to the ground by Bryan.
Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka was sent off for a foul on Anwar El Ghazi
Moments later, the former Brentford forward again showed his aerial ability to set up Traore, who headed a decent opportunity over.
Villa were punished in the 31st minute when McGoldrick started and finished an impressive move.
The forward found George Baldock with a diagonal ball and continued his run into the box, scoring from close range off the bar when Elmohamady’s lapse in concentration allowed McGoldrick to reach Baldock’s cross.
Ref Robert Jones checked the screen and decided Jagielka denied a goalscoring opportunity
Villa remained a threat, however, and three minutes later Traore nearly scored one of the goals of the season. First he showed superb control to bring down Elmohamady’s overhit cross, and then wonderful footwork to weave past three United players – yet with the goal at his mercy, Traore shot wide from 12 yards.
Traore was prominent again early in the second half as he advanced on to McGinn’s clever header and aimed for the bottom corner, forcing Jagielka into a brilliant sliding block.
That was the high point of Jagielka’s evening, though. He was originally shown a yellow card for bundling over El Ghazi as the Dutchman ran on goal, but after checking the pitchside monitor, referee Jones opted to send off the former England centre-back.
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings challenges Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick
It was a desperately close call and United were stunned, though it is questionable whether covering defender Bryan would have reached the ball ahead of El Ghazi had Jagielka not fouled him.
Just as they were at Villa Park last September, when John Egan was dismissed early on, the Blades found themselves a man down. Villa took heart and came very close when McGinn’s effort hit team-mate Ezri Konsa and flew over, with Ramsdale stranded.
Villa pushed, throwing on their on-loan England midfielder Ross Barkley, but United resisted. McGinn found Watkins at the far post and the header across was guided goalwards by Traore and scrambled away by Ethan Ampadu. Then in stoppage time Ramsdale made an outstanding stop to deny Konsa and Watkins could not reach the loose ball in time.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins can’t find a way past Kean Bryan and Phil Jagielka
Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood holds off Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa
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