Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer praises "incredible" Sheffield United and "superb" John Fleck after win against Aston Villa

The Blades won 2-0 thanks to a second-half double from John Fleck to move Chris Wilder’s team up to fifth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.

Shearer singled out Fleck for a “superb” performance and highlighted how the midfielder had 24 touches of the ball in the first-half – but none in the box. But after the break he had 19 touches with three of those coming in Villa’s penalty area.

Shearer also highlighted how United had eight players in their starting line-up who played against Villa in February’s 3-3 draw in the Championship, while Dean Smith’s men only had two.

Shearer said: “And one of those who started was a free transfer, John Fleck, who has been, and was, superb today.

“First-half he was a little bit safe, guarded, played with the handbrake on, not many touches, or no touches in the box, predominately down the left hand side.

“He didnt really want to gamble and link-up with the front players and get into the box.”

But that all changed after half-time as Fleck finished off two wonderful United moves.

“You are getting one of you centre-halves doing a backheel – Basham – into Lundstram and it is a wonderful ball and this would not have happened in the first-half,” Shearer added.

“It is just incredible what Sheffield United are doing, what Chris Wilder is doing with this team.”