Refresh your memory - What happened the last time Sheffield United played Aston Villa

It’s been over 10 weeks since we last saw a ball kicked.
John Fleck scores Sheffield United's first goal past Tom Heaton of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)John Fleck scores Sheffield United's first goal past Tom Heaton of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
John Fleck scores Sheffield United's first goal past Tom Heaton of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A lot of things have happened since then and despite Sheffield United’s superb Premier League season so far, some things may have slipped your memory.

So, off the back of the news that the Blades are to head-up ‘Project Restart’ when they travel to take on Aston Villa in their match in hand, on June 17.

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United were among four teams who had played a game fewer than the rest of the division – Manchester City will play Arsenal on the same night – and the match will mark their first piece of competitive action since March 7 when they beat Norwich 1-0 at Bramall Lane.

But what of their next opponents?

It seems an awful long time ago now, but when the Blades faced Villa earlier in the season it was another memorable day at the Lane.

After seeing a seven-match unbeaten run come to an end two weeks earlier in controversial circumstances against Newcastle United, Chris Wilder’s side begun their attempt at kicking off another one by bouncing straight back to beat Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road, in another incident-packed encounter.

Then came Villa, struggling near the bottom of the table, while United were beginning to have much loftier ambitions than those bandied around in the summer.

John Fleck of Sheffield United celebrates with teammate John Lundstram after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)John Fleck of Sheffield United celebrates with teammate John Lundstram after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
John Fleck of Sheffield United celebrates with teammate John Lundstram after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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After a disappointing first half, the match with Dean Smith’s side exploded into life early in the second half when a sublime back-heel by Chris Basham fed John Lundstram whose cross was guided home first time by John Fleck. A beautiful goal.

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The second and the one that sealed the three points came in a move started and finished by Fleck again. The Scot passed to Enda Stevens and followed up his run into the box, latching onto a subsequent overhead flick by David McGoldrick to finish. Delightful.

There was till time for a bit more action as John Egan was adjedged to have handled in the box and conceded a penalty, which was given by our old friend VAR (remember him?).

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish fails to score from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Aston Villa's Jack Grealish fails to score from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish fails to score from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on December 14, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The roof was lifted off Bramall Lane again though as everyone’s favourite Brummie, Jack Grealish blasted his spot-kick against the crossbar.

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Final score: Sheffield United 2 Aston Villa 0 and plenty to talk about in that second period.

Wilder said afterwards: "It was a proper second-half performance. It was a cagey first half and I don't think we had many big opportunities, but I felt it was coming before half-time and we stepped it up in the second half.

"We rode our luck with Jack Grealish missing the penalty, but I think the right result has happened today.”

And Smith had few complaints, saying: “The second goal was a bit of a killer but they probably deserved the win on the day.

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Now, we finally get the chance to look towards what the return match will bring next month.

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Thank you. Chris.