By beating Sheffield United, Aston Villa could have taken over the top spot in the Premier League from Arsenal, at least for a day, but they drew 1-1 with Sheffield United in last place.
This gave Villa the top spot for the first time since August 2011 and their first at Christmas in 25 years. On Saturday, Liverpool can knock Arsenal out of first place in their head-to-head clash at Anfield.
Sheffield have won just twice this season and have built a yellow wall against Birmingham. The home team could not find a break here. Leon Bailey headed home for Villa an hour later after Matty Cash foolishly lost the ball. The goal was disallowed after Jacob Ramsey was caught by the arm of goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
A short time later, Villa were not awarded a penalty due to George Baldock’s handball. Sheffield gathered their courage and scored through Cameron Archer to make it 0-1 after an excellent move from substitute Gustavo Hamer. Àlex Moreno’s header was saved, while substitute Nicolò Zaniolo headed home towards the end of stoppage time for Villa.
end of series
The draw ended the Villans’ run of fifteen consecutive home wins. The team remained undefeated at home for the sixteenth time. This last occurred at the highest level of English from December 1982 to October 1983.
Source: NOS

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