Aston Villa host high-flying Sheffield United at Villa Park this evening.
Villa currently perches in ninth position in the Championship, just four points off Bristol City in sixth position, however, none of the sides in the playoff spots show any sign off slowing down as of yet.
One of the sides currently in the playoffs is their opponents later on in United. The Blades have won five out of their last seven games which has pushed them hot onto the heels of Norwich City and Leeds United, but Villa will surely have something to say about that.
If Villa are to boost their push for a potential playoff spot with the League still wide open, these two players must start against United to give them the best chance of winning…
Tyrone Mings
Mings recently joined in the January transfer window from Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season and the 25-year-old made quite the impression on his debut against Reading.
He did help Villa towards a clean sheet displaying some fine defending alongside Tommy Elphick, however, there was a nasty incident involving Nelson Oliveira as he stood on his face and it is now being investigated by The FA as to whether it was an intentional stamp or not.
If he is cleared to play, then Mings will be key in trying to put a stop to Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick’s form this season, as the pair have 28 League goals between them so far this season and they will be looking to add to that tonight.
Tammy Abraham
If you thought United’s strikers tally of 28 Championship goals was impressive between them, well, Abraham has 19 and that is as a lone striker.
Abraham may not have found the net against Reading, however, you have to go back to early November to find a run of more than one game where he did not score in the League so this game has a goal from the 21-year-old written all over it.
United have the third best defensive record in the League for goals conceded so their back three will be tough to get the better of, but if it was to be one man, it would be Abraham.
