The Sheffield United manager was mentioned in connection with the Aston Villa post, later filled by Dean Smith.
The Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to Talksport about the Aston Villa job with which he was linked earlier this month.
Wilder was among the bookmakers’ favourites – as well as some fans’ – to replace Steve Bruce at Villa Park, although it is unclear whether an approach was ever made for the 51-year-old, who has led the Blades to the top of the Championship with 12 games played.
And when asked about the speculation, Wilder chose to deflect instead onto the incumbent Aston Villa boss, Dean Smith.
“It’s an absolute giant of a club in English football, let alone the Championship,” admitted the lifelong Sheffield United fan. “Dean’s a great appointment – a great fit, both ways – I believe.
“It’s good that Dean’s got the opportunity. He’s done a fantastic job at Brentford and (he’s got) a great opportunity now to manage his boyhood club. Obviously, I know quite a lot about that.”
Responding to the suggestion that he loves being in charge at Bramall Lane, Wilder said: “Yeah, I’ve got a massive connection with this football club and so has Dean (with Aston Villa), looking back through history with his dad being a steward.”
Sheffield United emerged 4-1 victors when Aston Villa visited the Steel City in early September – part of a run of just one win in 10 games which cost Bruce his job.
Smith’s Villa are scheduled to host the Blades on Saturday, 9th February.
Would Wilder have been a better fit for Aston Villa than Smith?
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