Chris Basham says Sheffield United must bounce back against Leeds United after defeat at Aston Villa

The Blades followed up their opening-day defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 1-0 reverse at Villa Park, in a game packed with controversy.

Sunday's clash with Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds is the start of a testing six-game run for United, which also features meetings with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as newly-promoted Fulham.

And Basham, who scored a memorable winner when United last faced Leeds in their promotion season from the Championship, admitted: "It hurts.

"We're not used to losing games, so it hurts even more.

"The manager is a honest man and he hates losing. He was disappointed at Villa, but it's up to us players to bounce back and support him, the staff and all the fans watching at home on their TV screens.

"We've seen how good Leeds have been since they came into the Premier League, so it's a big game for us and a big opportunity."

United, who also went out of the Carabao Cup at the first attempt after a much-changed team lost on penalties to Burnley at Turf Moor, will be without defender John Egan for the visit of Bielsa's Leeds.

The Irish defender was sent off early in United's defeat to Villa, for tugging back Ollie Watkins. John Lundstram went on to miss a penalty, after Basham was fouled, and Ezri Konsa headed the winner in the second half.

"Egs is a honest man, and he'll be looking to bounce back," Basham said, after watching new boys Oli Burke and Ethan Ampadu make their Premier League debuts for the Blades.

"We've got loads of positives at the minute. The manager has done well in the transfer market and the strength showed against Burnley.

"Oli is a handful, he's a bit Jamie Vardy-esque in how difficult he is to play against, and Ethan came in and was solid as well.

"New players always bring a hunger into the team; the boys who were already here want to keep their spot, too.

"The business has been a big positive for the club."

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of Blades coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details HERE. Your support is much appreciated. Chris Holt, Football Editor