Unai Emery was proud of players and supporters after Aston Villa’s unbeaten home run in the Premier League stretched to 16 games.
After 15 consecutive wins, the home side were staring at defeat after Cameron Archer’s late goal put Sheffield United 1-0 up. But the Villans, backed by vociferous support from the stands, fought until the end and equalised via Nicolò Zaniolo in stoppage time.
“I’m very happy with how we finished today after 15 matches winning in a row because each match is very difficult to win,” said Emery, adding: “Today they defended very well. We were controlling the match in the first half like we prepared. We didn’t score but we needed to be patient.
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“I think the goal they refused with VAR is the moment we were a little bit upset in our minds and we lost a little bit of control of the game. They created one or two chances to score and we needed to avoid chances like that.
“When they scored it was very difficult but we reacted very well, we scored and we drew. I’m very happy now we have 39 points. We are going to focus on Manchester United. I’m proud of our work, our players, and our supporters.”
Villa bossed possession and played most of the match in United’s half of the pitch as the visitors sat deep and defended stubbornly. Leon Bailey saw a goal disallowed on the hour mark, and Emery felt that moment played a part in the Blades coming into the game late on.