Villa Park, home of Aston Villa based in the West Midlands and play their trade in the Premier League. Nicknamed the “Lions” with one appearing on the club crest.
It’s a bucket list tick! Ben can’t go tonight so someone had to have his ticket right? Aston Villa away for Sheffield United it is!
So it’s down the M1, to the A38 and into Shenstone as Will Burford has kindly let me park at his house tonight with parking not being the best at Villa Park unfortunately. A quick tea and catch up later and it’s off to Shenstone station and into Aston we go!
£31 to watch this Premier League tie! Not that bad actually! The ground is filling up nicely and we have the Premier League’s fist ever light show! “What the f***ing hell is that?!” It’s not that bad actually to the tune of Seven Nation Army. “HI HO ASTON VILLA!” That song didn’t get a good reception from the away end understandably.
Out come the teams! It’s Villa vs the Blades! Can the Blades cause an upset here tonight? Let’s find out!
Kick Off! Villa dominating possession so far, looking like a smash & grab task for Sheffield United to have any chance! “Yippi Ai Eh! Yippi Ai Oh!” The atmosphere is booming tonight!
About midway through the first half and a few VAR decisions later and here come Villa, Diaby has it in the box and he shoots… Good save! Blades clear.
A few minutes later and Villa have a corner, in it comes… Konsa with the header… Over! Big chance! “We are Blades! We are Blades! Oh we are we are Blades!” Villa continue to dominate possession but at half time it remains 0-0.
Second half, 62nd minute and Villa have a corner, in it comes… Foderingham misses it… Blades block the shot and George Baldock runs away with it… Oh dear! What’s he done there? He’s given it away and Villa play it across goal and here’s Leon Bailey… Goal! Villa have the breakthrough and cue bedlam in the Villa stands!
But wait… VAR review incoming! Was there a foul on Wes Foderingham…? Yes says the Referee! No goal! It’s still 0-0.
86th minute and Sheffield United have it down the left, it’s played across towards ARCHER… OH! WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT!!!! SHEFFIELD UNITED LEAD!! SCENES IN THE AWAY END!!! 0-1!! My word!
Into 9 minutes of added time and nerves in the away end, can the Blades hold on? 97th minute and Villa have the ball in the box… Foderingham comes for it… He hasn’t got there… And it’s 1-1… Zaniolo beats Foderingham in the air and heads home…
Villa press for the winner… But they have left it too late and their home record is over!
FT: Aston Villa 1-1 Sheffield United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – Unreal from both sets of fans!
- The Ground: 10/10 – One of the best in the world I’d say!
- Expense: 9/10 – £31 a bit much even for drama upon drama when nothing else happened in the game…
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Just the Blades holding on for the win away from a 10/10 tonight! Loved it otherwise!
38/40