In a nail-biting Premier League clash at Villa Park, Nicolo Zaniolo’s dramatic late goal secured a crucial point for Aston Villa against Sheffield United, but Unai Emery’s men couldn’t seize top spot from Arsenal.
Nicolo Zaniolo’s late equaliser salvaged a point for Aston Villa in a dramatic Premier League encounter against Sheffield United at Villa Park, Birmingham, on 22 December 2023.
Zaniolo’s first Premier League goal, a header in the 97th minute, prevented what looked like a certain win for Sheffield United, who are currently 19th in the league with nine points.
Aston Villa, who are now level on 39 points with Arsenal, missed a golden opportunity to become the league leaders, even if only for 24 hours.
Arsenal, set to play against Liverpool on Saturday, will surely view this result as a chance to strengthen their position at the top.
The match saw Aston Villa struggle against the five-man back line set up by Sheffield United’s coach, Chris Wilder. Wilder’s plan nearly paid off after a stunning goal by 22-year-old Cameron Archer in the 87th minute, which seemed to have secured a surprise victory for the visitors.
Aston Villa dominated possession in the early stages. However, they found it hard to penetrate Sheffield’s robust defensive setup.
Villa raised their game in the second half and had a goal by Leon Bailey disallowed in the 59th minute due to a foul.
Unai Emery‘s tactical changes in the 74th minute, bringing on Moreno and Duran for Digne and Diaby, indicated a more aggressive approach, with Villa playing with two centre-forwards.
This shift in strategy, however, exposed them at the back, with Sheffield United maintaining composure in defence and looking more threatening in attack.
Zaniolo, replacing Bailey in the 81st minute, made an immediate impact. Yet, it was Sheffield’s Archer who initially grabbed the headlines, scoring a goal just six minutes after Zaniolo’s entry.
Archer’s goal, assisted by Hamer, was a classic counter-attacking strike that seemed to have sealed the game for Sheffield. However, the match took another turn when the fourth official announced nine minutes of added time, reigniting Villa’s hopes.
In a dramatic climax, Zaniolo’s header from a Douglas Luiz cross in the 97th minute ensured the game ended in a draw and dropped points at home for Villa for the first time this season.