The Blades reached the third round of the competition after elminating Mansfield Town (2-1) in the first round before completing a shock victrory at West Ham United in a penalty shoot-out. West Ham fans taunted their Sheffield United counterparts with chants about Carlos Tevez - only to see their latest big-money signing miss the decisive penalty after an even Capital One Cup tie at Upton Park. This was the first meeting of the two sides since the Blades were relegated, largely thanks to Tevez's goals at West Ham - only for a legal wrangle over the Argentina international's ownership leading to the Hammers paying out almost B#30million in compensation. There are now two divisions separating the clubs but it is Sheffield United who progress into the third round after Enner Valencia, a B#14million signing from Pachuca, was the only player to miss his spot-kick as tie could not be decided in normal time.
Stewart Downing lauded the depth of the squad now at Sam Allardyce's disposal but, with the West Ham boss making nine changes, his side struggled to show the class to see off a spirited Sheffield United. Diafra Sakho was quiet but managed to put the Barclays Premier League side ahead with a well-taken first-half header, only for Winston Reid - captain for the evening - to score an unfortunate second-half own goal, with few chances created by either side as the game meandered into extra time and eventually to penalties.
Both sides converted their opening four spot-kicks before Valencia, who had wasted a couple of good chances during the night, saw his low effort saved by the impressive Mark Howard. Blades' skipper Michael Doyle then stepped up to seal the win for Nigel Clough's side - who will see the result as a small piece of revenge for the whole Tevez saga.
Blades boss Nigel Clough has no new fresh injury concerns to be worried about, however Jose Baxter (hamstring) is sidelined and Forwards Jamie Murphy (dead leg) Jamal Campbell-Ryce (calf) are doubtful ahead of tonight's encounter.
Leyton Orient became the latest third division side to eliminate Aston Villa from a cup competition this year after the Blades won 2-1 at Villa Park last January. Romain Vincelot's header three minutes from time sees Orient join Bradford in humiliating Villa in this competition, with the Bantams famously defeating the Premier League team over a two-legged semi-final in 2013. And earlier this year at Villa Park, Sheffield United knocked Paul Lambert's men out of the FA Cup. Joe Cole was handed his full Villa debut. The midfielder's inclusion was one of seven changes made by Lambert for the second-round tie. Shay Given made his first appearance since January 2013, while Darren Bent started a game for Villa for the first time since the final day of the 2012/13 season. Orient made six changes from their League One fixture at the weekend, one of which saw former Villa defender Shane Lowry come into the starting line up.
With both sides making so many changes fluency was initially difficult to find. But Leandro Bacuna looked willing down the left and he was involved in much of what was good about Villa early on. Orient's captain for the night David Mooney got his head in the way of a goalbound effort from the Dutchman after quarter of an hour. Shortly afterwards Jack Grealish, making his first start for Villa, saw a close-range flick blocked by Bradley Pritchard after some determined wing play from Bacuna. Visiting right-back Elliott Omozusi might have been pleased to see Bacuna swap flanks midway through the first half but, having faced Grealish last season when the Villa teenager was on loan at Notts County, he knew his replacement could also cause him problems. And with his quick feet and penetrating runs, the 18-year-old showed why he is considered a prospect at Villa Park.
But it was a more experienced playmaker in Cole who carved out the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. His perfectly-weighted pass behind the Orient defence sent Bent through down the right-hand side of the penalty area but his shot across Gary Woods flicked off the goalkeeper's legs and wide of the far post. Mooney had Orient's first real chance just before half-time but the striker was well off target with his glancing header from Omozusi's cross. Grealish embarked on another menacing run just before the hour mark but his shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Nathan Baker headed over the crossbar.
Orient thought their moment had come in the 67th minute when Mathieu Baudry's downward header looked destined for the top corner but Given produced a superb save to turn the ball on to the bar. The game was becoming stretched and Grealish almost got the goal his performance arguably deserved - but he swept his first-time shot narrowly wide. It was all hands to the pump inside the Villa penalty area with seven minutes remaining as Orient substitutes Chris Dagnall and Vincelot saw shots blocked. Bent then fired wide after a superb 35-yard pass from Philippe Senderos, before Vincelot headed home Pritchard's left-wing cross at the far post. The goal was met with angry reactions from a group of Villa supporters behind the dugouts, a couple of whom had to be restrained by stewards as they vented their frustrations towards Lambert. There were also some calls for the Scot's resignation as he walked down the touchline towards the tunnel after the final whistle.
In League One the O's climbed out of the relegation zone last Saturday with a 2-1 win at struggling Scunthorpe United and like the Blades would no doubt welcome all three points ahead of a place in round four of the League Cup but a potential tie at perhaps Arsenal, Manchester City or Chelsea await the winners.
Orient boss Russel Slade is currently linked with the vacent managers position at Cardiff City and he may have left Brisbane Road by the time the Blades kick-off this cup-tie. They will be without Lloyd James (thigh) and Kevin Lisbie (Shoulder) through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Leyton Orient 0 Sheffield United 1
:: Click here to visit the Blades-Mad Shop ::
Visit us on facebook
Follow us on Twitter