Chris Wilder apologises to Sheffield United fans after 5-0 hammering by Villa, admitting 95 minutes ‘felt like three-and-a-half weeks’ as they were ‘taken to the cleaners’
Chris Wilder made an impassioned apology to Sheffield United fans and took full responsibility for the Blades’ 5-0 hammering by Aston Villa on Saturday night.
The Premier League strugglers made a decent start to the game at Bramall Lane before they were blown away by goals from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans inside the first 30 minutes.
Having seen out the final third of the first period without concession, the Blades then conceded a fifth from Alex Moreno only 90 seconds after the second half had got underway.
Wilder, who – like many of the home support that had remained until the game’s close – cut a dejected figure, revealed that the 95-minute ordeal felt like three-and-a-half weeks, while also offering his apologies to the fans in attendance.
‘Sorry to everybody, but most importantly, for our 30,000, Sheff United supporters,’ Wilder said post-match. ‘It wasn’t good enough.
Chris Wilder watched on in despair as his side were humbled by Aston Villa in front of their home fans
Sheffield United fans began leaving in their droves after Villa’s third goal which came in the 20th minute
‘I have to accept that responsibility. We got well and truly took to the cleaners, 4-0 after 30 minutes, there was never us ever getting back into the game. They were clinical in there, taking chances.
‘But we were open so I have to accept that responsibility in terms of the way that the team set up.
‘We have to take our medicine, this is what the Premier League is about, this is what it can do to you and it has done to us and it’s not a nice feeling. There’s no hiding place for a manager.
‘I’m stood in that technical area for 95 minutes [which] felt like about three-and-a-half weeks. And-the players out there, and everything that gets chucked at us, from our supporters through media, through everybody’s opinion – we have to take it on the chin and accept.’
Villa’s devastated their hosts with four goals inside the first 30 minutes which put the game to bed
The defeat saw the Blades remain 10 points adrift of Nottingham Forest and Luton on 20 points in 17th and 16th place in the Premier League respectively. Both sides also have a game in hand.
Sheffield United have won just two of their 23 league outings this term, losing 17, as they look all but set to make an immediate return to the Championship.
Their next fixture sees them travel to the Hatters, knowing that they must register their first win in eight games to inspire any hope of an unlikely survival.
