New goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could make his Aston Villa debut against Sheffield United in PL game
Next in the Premier League, Aston Villa and Sheffield United will be locking horns against each other. Aston Villa will open their campaign on September 21 in the Premier League while Sheffield United is coming after suffering a loss in their opening game. Sheffield United had suffered a defeat against Wolves 0-2 on September 14.
Aston Villa have used the extra time available to them as they have signed on Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore and Emiliano Martinez in the last two weeks. In the same time frame, the side also managed to extend the contract of their skipper Jack Grealish. The Villa skipper has signed a new five-year contract with the club. Martinez is expected to make his debut in this Premier League game.
Dean Smith's options suddenly look a lot stronger than they did for much of last season, although big spending is by no means a guarantee for success — as they discovered themselves last term when only a great escape saved them at the end of a campaign in which they had splashed over £143M ($185M).
On the other hand, Sheffield United will also enter the match with some confidence as the side was in the Champions League contention for the 2020-21 season but a post lockdown blip in form saw them finish ninth, but it was still their joint-best league finish since 1974-75.
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder has a tough task on his hands as the side lost its opening match of the 2020-21Premier League season and in the match, they went 0-2 down within six minutes at home Wolves. There were no goals scored in their match against Wolves, but the damage had already been done. The side now faces the prospect of suffering two back-to-back defeats for the first time since 1973-74.
Record signing Watkins is set to make his Premier League debut for Aston Villa after in the match against Sheffield United. The former Brentford star may be joined in the Aston playing XI by the other two new signings as well. Aston Villa possible starting lineup — Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Watkins, Grealish.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup — Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Lundstram, Stevens; McBurnie, McGoldrick.
When will the match air?
You can stream the match live at 1 pm ET.
Where to live stream
The match will broadcast on Sky Sports via its Main Event and Premier League channels.
Venue
The game will be played at Villa Park, a football stadium in Aston, Birmingham, England, with a seating capacity of 42,095. The stadium has been the home of Aston Villa Football Club since 1897. The famous ground is less than a mile from both Witton and Aston railway stations and has hosted 16 England internationals at senior level, the first in 1899 and the most recent in 2005. Villa Park has hosted 55 FA Cup semi-finals.
Prediction
Sheffield United didn’t begin the season on the right note, with losses in their opening Premier League game, suffering a defeat against Wolves 0-2 on September 14. Meanwhile, Aston Villa has made some important additions to their squad and will be buzzing as a club following captain Jack Grealish's decision to sign a new contract until 2025.
A lot of experts are stating that Villa has higher chances of winning as the team overcame a slow start to beat Burton Albion well in the League Cup at midweek. So, Aston Villa might have a higher chance to win the game.
All Premier League games are currently being played behind closed doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, meaning no tickets will be available. Graham Scott will referee the PL match with Scott Ledger and Simon Long his assistants. Simon Hooper is the fourth official while Mike Dean will be on VAR duty.