Aston Villa have climbed back into the top four after thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Bramall Lane.
Unai Emery’s Villa became the first away team since Chelsea back in January 2011 to bag four goals in the first half of a Premier League game as John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans all scored to build an unassailable lead before the break. Alex Moreno netted Villa’s fifth goal less than two minutes after the restart.
Villa headed to Sheffield on the back of a home defeat to Newcastle United, and had won only one of their previous five league games. But after the Magpies dropped points at home to Luton and Champions League challengers Tottenham drew at Everton, Villa had a big incentive to end their recent winless run.
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Douglas Luiz slipped Waktins through in the 18th minute, but after the striker’s effort came back off the post, McGinn was on hand to tap in. Minutes later, Luiz played another sensational ball in behind the Blades backline to find Watkins, who gobbled up his second chance with aplomb.
Bailey added a third when he finished off a sweeping counter attack, before Tielemans got in on the act by slamming the ball in off the bar.
Sheffield Utd have 10 points and no team with fewer than 13 after 23 Premier League matches of a season has gone on to avoid relegation. Coming into the game, they had shipped 54 goals, which is the second highest tally ever at that stage of a Premier League season.
Moreno added a fifth for Villa in the 47th minute by firing beyond Foderingham after Watkins picked him out inside the box with a neat cross. The Blades thought they had scored a goal late on, but VAR ruled it out for offside.
Villa will host Chelsea on Wednesday night for the FA Cup fourth round replay, before Manchester United head to Villa Park next Sunday.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Made an outstanding save late on in the second half to preserve his sixth clean sheet of the season. 8
Ezri Konsa
Konsa played at right-back tonight instead of Matty Cash. He picked up a knock in the second half. 8
Diego Carlos
Hard to pick a fault in Carlos’ game this evening. A very strong performance. 8
Clement Lenglet
Outstanding at the back tonight, Lenglet continues to impress. Few players can replace what Pau Torres can do with the ball, but Lenglet keeps Villa’s balance and is a secure defender. 8
Alex Moreno
Had the freedom to bomb on down the left all night and got among the goals by scoring Villa’s fifth. 8
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara will never grab the headlines for the job he does in the middle of the park, but he’s crucial to how this team ticks. 8
Douglas Luiz
Played two excellent balls in behind the Blades backline. He was a level above his opponents in the first half. Replaced at the break. 9
John McGinn
Scored his sixth league goal of the season to open the scoring. He was too strong, too powerful and too clever for the Blades midfielders. 8
Youri Tielemans
Another impressive display from Tielemans, who looks part of the furniture in Villa’s XI now. He took his goal well. 8
Leon Bailey
Unplayable for the 60 minutes he had on the pitch. Sheffield Utd defenders couldn’t get close to him. 9
Ollie Watkins
He has a hand in three of the five goals which Villa scored tonight. Outstanding forward play from the first whistle. 9*
SUBS
Jacob Ramsey (for Luiz, 45′): It was a good opportunity to give Ramsey the time to build some confidence given that the game was over by the time he came on. 6
Matty Cash (for Konsa, 60′): Didn’t have many chances to get forward, but stuck to his task well. 6
Moussa Diaby (for Bailey, 60′): Called Foderingham into a good save after coming on for Bailey. 7
Tim Iroegbunam (for McGinn, 71′): Made his second appearance of the season and performed well alongside Kamara. 6
Morgan Rogers (for Tielemans, 80′): The 21-year-old made his Premier League debut for Villa tonight. N./A
Subs not used: Olsen, Wright, Kesler Hayden, Chambers.
GOALS
Sheffield Utd: N/A
Aston Villa: McGinn (12′), Watkins (16′), Bailey (20′), Tielemans (30′), Moreno (47′).
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
