Aston Villa got an agonizing draw at home with a 1-1 draw against weak and newly promoted Sheffield United that, at the start of matchday 18, allowed them to temporarily climb to the top of the Premier League along with Arsenal, who are also first on goal difference and with a game in hand. Emiliano Dibu Martinez couldn't finish with a clean sheet, but he managed to make a great save after flying and flying to get a shot on goal from Oliver Norwood.
It was a difficult game for the Villans, who couldn't find a way to break down a Sheffiel side who had started the day from last place in the table. Yes, there was a duel of opposites and it was much more even than everyone imagined.
It seemed that the match would be unblocked with an appearance by Jamaican Leon Bailley, but the VAR put the spotlight on the play and discovered that Jacob Ramsey had fouled Wes Foderingham, the visiting goalkeeper. Anthony Taylor went to the monitor and decided to disallow the play.
That's when Dibu's flight appeared, which until that moment hadn't had much work. Sheffield United's next arrival was lethal and ended with the former Independiente going for the ball inside his goal.
🏴
#PREMIERxESPN WITH YOU, THE BEST IN THE WORLD! Dibu #MartĂnez and a spectacular dungeon to avoid the fall of his bow. pic.twitter.com/ALYPbkaiAX
— ESPN Fútbol Argentina (@ESPNFutbolArg) December 22, 2023
Cameron Archer, among six defenders, opened the scoring after a remarkable play by Gustavo Hamer, who went to the back of the net and left Scotland's John McGinn sprawled on the floor. Thus, in the 42nd minute of the second half, the game was unlocked in a Villa Park that was suffering with the game and left Unai Emery's team without a long unbeaten run at home.
🏴
#PREMIERxESPN NAP AND SURPRISE! Archer pushed it into the goal and gave #Sheffield the agonizing 1-0 against #AstonVilla. pic.twitter.com/Xiq1px1GKn
— ESPN Fútbol Argentina (@ESPNFutbolArg) December 22, 2023
However, Aston Villa are a brave team that goes forward like crazy. They went in search of an equaliser and were rewarded in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Italy's Nicolo Zaniolo went in search of a cross from the left from Brazilian Douglas Luizy and capitalised on Wes Foderingham's dismal start.
🏴
#PREMIERxESPN THE AGONIZING DRAW! Tremendous anticipation of #Zaniolo to equalize the duel at the end of the match. pic.twitter.com/r25ECBZ0Bp
— ESPN Fútbol Argentina (@ESPNFutbolArg) December 22, 2023
In this way, Aston Villa remains on the lookout. They levelled the line with Arsenal, who will visit Liverpool this Saturday at 14.30, who were one point below. Any result will leave them in third place at the end of the day. Equally, without a doubt, he is a champion.