Ezri Konsa header seals Aston Villa win over Sheffield United

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saves penalty on debut as Jon Egan sent off for Blades

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  Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, right, in action with Sheffield United's Sander Berge. Reuters

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  Aston Villa's Conor Hourihane. Reuters

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  Sheffield United's Irish defender John Egan reacts in front of referee Graham Scott after he fouled Aston Villa's English striker Ollie Watkins (not seen) leading to a straight red card. AFP

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  Aston Villa Matt Targett fouls Sheffield United's Chris Basham leading to a penalty. AFP

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  Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings reacts to the penalty decision. Reuters

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  Sheffield United's English midfielder John Lundstram (C) shoots from the penalty spot but fails to score during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Sheffield Utd at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on September 21, 2020. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / POOL / Julian Finney / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.

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  Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez saves a penalty from Sheffield United's John Lundstram. Reuters

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  Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa scores their first goal. Reuters

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  Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa celebrates. Reuters

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  Sheffield United's Sander Berge vies for the ball against Aston Villa's Jack Grealish. AFP

Aston Villa got their season up and running with a 1-0 home win against 10-man Sheffield United on Monday as Ezri Konsa's second-half header settled a dour game.

All eyes were on Villa's new record signing Ollie Watkins but it was defender Konsa and debutant goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who earned their side three points.

Sheffield United had defender John Egan sent off after 12 minutes for pulling back Watkins but wasted a great chance to take the lead before half time when John Lundstrum's penalty was saved by Martinez, signed from Arsenal last week.

Even with an extra man Villa struggled to create chances against a well-organised United side, but Konsa's 63rd minute header ensured a positive start for Dean Smith's side who last season escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth.

It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for Chris Wilder's United side who have lost two from two without scoring.