Blades boss 'utterly confused' as Sheffield United are dealt big blow ahead of Leeds United clash

Still seeking their first positive result of the season in Monday night's clash at Aston Villa, the Blades were reduced to ten men in just the 12th minute when captain John Egan was adjudged to have denied Villa forward Ollie Watkins a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The duo were both chasing a long ball forward from Tyrone Mings with referee Graham Scott giving Egan his marching orders after a tussle between the two and the decision then checked and approved by VAR.

Egan will now be suspended for Sunday's clash against Leeds at Bramall Lane unless the Blades are successful with any appeal.

And Wilder was left double incensed with the Blades boss believing that Villa defender Matt Targett should also have been sent off for bringing down Chris Basham for a penalty that John Lundstrum saw saved.

That incident also survived a VAR check and Villa went on to take all three points as Ezri Konsa bagged the only goal of the game three minutes after the hour.

"In my opinion we were on the receiving end of two poor decisions," said Wilder.

"For me, both (Egan and Watkins) were having a tussle with each other. I just don't understand why that decision was a straight red.

"When I look back on both the situations, I don't think the correct decision was given.

"There's no way in a million years Matt Targett can wrap his leg round and make an attempt to play the ball, so he impedes our player who is about to tap it in, it's a goal-scoring chance denied, and it's a red card. Even if we miss the penalty, it's still 10 v 10, which has a huge effect on the game.

"Maybe I need to go on a referee's course. I think we all need to because there is so much confusion about stuff like this."

Wilder added: "I wanted to see Graham after the game because, for me, we’ve been on the receiving end of two poor decisions before he break out there - two decisions that I’m utterly confused about.

“The first one, how can he (Scott) be certain that was a foul because what I saw was two players grappling for the ball.

"Yes, John has put himself in a poor position but the linesman didn’t give it, did he.

"Actually, I’m told they’re called assistant referees now, which means they assist the referee.

"And he didn’t give anything.

“The second, when their lad (Targett) brings Bash (Chris Basham) down, I understand that if he makes an attempt to play the ball but commits a foul, then the penalty is enough because that’s double jeopardy. But there’s no way he can make an attempt to get the ball, because Bash does great to get his body in between.

"So I’m utterly confused as to what’s happened there. Listen, if I’m wrong then I’ll hold my hands up. But I’ve been in the game a long time and I like to think I know what I’m talking about.”

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Thank you Laura Collins