Beaten but not bowed Sheffield United can take heart from defeat to Aston Villa ahead of Leeds United clash

Those could easily have come here at Aston Villa where, despite playing three quarters of the contest with 10 men following John Egan’s early dismissal, United were presented with a glorious chance to take the lead during the closing stages of the first half when they were awarded a penalty.

Although John Lundstram’s attempt was saved by Emiliano Martinez - the Argentine correctly choosing to dive to his left - United continued to catch the eye with their tactical discipline and desire to try and create openings, with Oliver Burke working tirelessly in attack and producing a lovely individual cameo to send Chris Basham through before he was upended by Matt Targett.

But top-flight football is a cruel and ruthless business, as United discovered just past the hour when Ezri Konsa scored the only goal of the contes. Targett, who Wilder felt should have joined Egan in the dressing room after conceding the spot-kick, swept in a corner which was helped on by Tyrone Mings whose fellow centre-half turned home from close range.

United, with Sander Berge looking far more comfortable at the base of their midfielder rather than in a more advanced role, had frustrated Villa up until that moment and also appeared more fluent than opponents whose largesse in the transfer market has been one of the stories of this summer’s transfer window.

In a sense, the fact they can return home with plenty of positives to take from the contest, will make the final result an even more unpalatable pill to swallow. But, when their disappointment subsides, United will realise there is still plenty to be encouraged about ahead of this weekend’s derby against Leeds.

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