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'The carrot of what the players can achieve is dangling there': Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder sets sights on capping brilliant season with a place in Europe as the Blades prepare for season re-opener against Aston Villa

The last time Sheffield United played at Aston Villa was in the Championship last season. Chris Wilder’s visiting team let a 3-0 lead slip in the last eight minutes and there was a fight in the dressing room.

‘We were cruising and they were never in the game,’ recalled Wilder yesterday. ‘Villa Park must have had 15,000 people in it. They had gone home.

‘Then one mistake and then another and another. Suddenly it’s 3-3. That one got sorted out in the dressing room.

Chris Wilder has led Sheffield United to an unlikely Champions League challenge this season

‘Not words, actions.