WATCH: More defensive misery for Sheffield United as veteran defender is SENT OFF against Aston Villa

Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka (L) fouls Aston Villa's Anwar El Ghazi , receiving a red card for the challenge, during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane in (Photo by CLIVE MASON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

And it’s going to be a lot worse in their next match against Southampton at the weekend after suffering a red card against Villa at Bramall Lane.

The Blades were 1-0 up when just short of the hour mark, veteran defender Phil Jagielka flew in on Anwar El Ghazi as the Villa winger was getting ready to burst towards goal.

Referee Robert Jones initially gave Jagielka a yellow card but the intervention of VAR saw Jones take a look at the pitchside monitor and Jones changed his mind, seemingly feeling that Kean Bryan wouldn’t have been able to get across and therefore Jagielka was the last defender.

United had started at the back with Jagielka, Bryan and Ethan Ampadu, with Chris Basham, Jack O’Connell, John Egan and Jack Robinson all injured.

Saturday’s match against the Saints could see either George Baldock or Enda Stevens drop into central defence from the flanks, with Chris Wilder running out of options.