Aston Villa 1 Sheffield United 0 - player ratings

Sheffield United were beaten at Villa Park, but far from disgraced.
COOL HEAD: Chris Wilder turned to Ethan Ampadu in the first halfCOOL HEAD: Chris Wilder turned to Ethan Ampadu in the first half
COOL HEAD: Chris Wilder turned to Ethan Ampadu in the first half

As soon as John Egan was sent off for a professional foul in the 13th minute, the Blades were well and truly up against it, so to only come off losing 1-0 was no mean feat. It could actually have been better, John Lundstram having a first-half penalty saved with the score at 0-0.

Chief football writer Stuart Rayner assesses the individual performances on a night to be proud of the Blades, despite the result.

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Aaron Ramsdale – not called on to make any outstanding saves – a tribute to his team-mates 6

Chris Basham – huge workload from Basham, who managed to double up on Jack Grealish and still get into the area to win the Blades' penalty when they were down to ten men 8

John Egan – could have no complaints with his dismissal for a professional foul 4

John O'Connell – played his part in a heroic defensive effort 7

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George Baldock – dealt well with Jack Grealish, help by Chris Basham, then John Lundstram 7

John Lundstram – magnificent work-rate and a brilliant pass to set up the penalty he was unable to convert 7

Sander Berge – struck a good balance between holding the midfield and posing a goal threat 7

John Fleck – worked hard as a left-winger for half an hour 6

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Enda Stevens – Max Lowe made a good case to challenge for his wing-back spot last week – this was a very good response 7

David McGoldrick – unlucky to be sacrificed having got in at the near post early on 6

Oliver Burke – made so many runs despite it being so difficult for his team-mates to find him 7.

Substitutes:

Ethan Ampadu (for McGoldrick, 31) – Chris Wilder turned to the youngster for extra defensive stability 7

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Ben Osborn (for Fleck, 63) – kept up the pressure in the midfield battle 6

Oli McBurnie (for Basham, 68) – just unable to get on the end of a Burke pull-back 6.

Not used: Sharp, Norwood, Foderingham, Robinson.

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James Mitchinson

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