Matt Lowton eyes Villa cup run

The defender has revealed Ron Vlaar's words of wisdom have inspired the backline to become meaner.

A sixth league clean sheet of the season in the 1-0 win at Sunderland on New Year's Day has Villa eclipsing their total for the whole of last season.

They managed just four league shutouts last term as the claret and blues diced with the drop before sealing safety in May.

Now, Lowton is primed to face former club Sheffield United – the first time since his 2012 switch from Bramall Lane – in the FA Cup tomorrow.

He deputised for Vlaar at centre-back after the skipper limped off on Wednesday and credits the Dutchman for improving Villa's defensive resolve.

"Ron pulled us all in during pre-season and said we want to be more resilient this year.

"If it doesn't look like it's on to go forward then stay in and there will be another time," he said.

"We all sat down at the start of the season and we knew ourselves we'd conceded a lot of goals and we said we weren't going to go forward if it wasn't on, make sure we filled gaps and work for each other.

"We don't want to be in that relegation battle like last year so everyone's attitude is about moving us up the table.

"We have done a lot of defensive training and the defenders got together at the start of the season.

We're always going to create chances with the lads we have up front and it's important we give ourselves a solid chance and we've got a lot more clean sheets already. It's starting to show. The work and attitude, the defenders are doing their jobs before going forward."

Vlaar will miss tomorrow's third-round clash with a calf injury but was always likely to be rested with boss Paul Lambert eyeing the visit of Arsenal on January 13.

But Lowton admits the Holland international is always on hand to offer advice to his team-mates.

"He's always getting us together and giving us little talks. I think Brad (Guzan) is great with the defending too, you can always hear him on a match day. He helps you out a lot with your positioning.

"I don't get tired of his voice though, maybe in the changing room but not on the pitch."

Villa's defensive improvement has been their foundation this term as they struggle to score as many goals.

Gabby Agbonlahor bagged just his third of the campaign with the winner against Sunderland while five-goal Christian Benteke in on an 11-game barren streak.

They were put under pressure by Sunderland but never looked like buckling even after Vlaar limped off with 20 minutes to go.

Villa have kept seven shutouts in all competitions – including the 3-0 League Cup win over Rotherham in August – and Lowton insisted it is down to practice.

He said: "Repetition really, if the ball is here where do you need to be? I mentioned attitude as well, that's massive. The example for me is always Baks (Nathan Baker), he sticks his face in the way of shots – defenders want to defend and stop goals going in."

Ciaran Clark is likely to return to the defence after being banned for the Sunderland game while keeper Jed Steer is in line to start.

Jordan Bowery is vying for a start up front with Agbonlahor set for a rest and Libor Kozak out.

Sheffield United, who lost 2-1 to Walsall on Wednesday, are 18th in League One.

Nigel Clough's side are just a point above the relegation zone after losing their eight-game unbeaten run against the Saddlers.