Image Credit: Evening Standard
By Lee Clow 17 June 2020 | Premier League
After 100 days since its postponement, the Premier League returned as Sheffield United held out a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Before kick-off, both sets of players took a knee as they paid their respects to the late George Floyd as well as the “Black Lives Matter” protests currently taking place across the world.
The game started with such an eerie feel with the lack of fans in the stadium being such a contrast to a normal typical matchday at Villa Park before lockdown.
Villa started the brighter of the two sides and came close to opening the deadlock within the first five minutes, but Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson was alert and on hand twice to keep the scores level.
For much of the first half you could see both sets of players had not played for over three months with neither side looking sharp or clinical.
A few minutes before half time, Sheffield United were denied the lead as controversy entered the game. Following a free kick, Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland appeared to hold the ball over his own line, however goal line technology ruled the ball to have not crossed the line. On replays the ball can clearly be seen over the line and this raised huge questions on the usually reliable technology.
The first half ended with the scores level as the Sheffield United players walked off clearly infuriated with the goal line technology’s failure.
In the second half, Villa again started the brighter of the two sides with home advantage appearing to help. Keinan Davis had the first opportunity of the second half as he connected with a lovely cross over the top, but he saw his shot saved well by Henderson down to his right.
Villa continued dominate as Jack Grealish fed Anwar El Ghazi down the right, before the latter squared the ball across the box towards Davis who could not get a vital touch to tap the ball home.
Moments later, John McGinn had a great opportunity for Villa as he found space on the edge of the area. The Scottish midfielder nicely unleashed a left footed strike towards goal, but again Henderson was there as he acrobatically parried the ball wide.
Ollie McBurnie had a rare chance for Sheffield United as he connected from a corner, however his header was straight at Nyland, preserving the deadlock.
Late in the second half, the game began to sizzle out as both teams started to tire. With the players tiring, the coaches were allowed to make a maximum of five substitutions, a new rule introduced for the restart of the season, and this continued to affect the pattern of play.
The game ended with scores still level meaning Villa remain in relegation zone, while Sheffield United continue their hunt for European football.
What’s next?
Having finally played their games in hand, both teams return to action on Sunday with Sheffield United taking on Newcastle United at St James’ Park, while Aston Villa host Chelsea.
The other game in hand, between Manchester City and Arsenal, is to be played later on today at 8pm BST.
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