The eagerly awaited first game back after lockdown, with the eyes of the World on an empty Villa Park, saw a turgid opening game and a goalless stalemate. Villa was the better side and forced Henderson into several decent although expected saves and had more of the ball, territory and chances. United, in contrast never get going and all the talk over how much we would be raring to go never really came to fruition as Villa looked the more determined and prepared side. United was not helped by missing key men but have had a largely settled side compared to others but just lacked fluency and never looked a threat attacking wise all game, failing to muster many attempts of note at all. For all that, the narrative will be around a cross that the Villa keeper fumbled into the net. Somehow the key people on and off the field missed it. How I do not know with even the explanation leaving a lot to be desired when all the cameras in the ground showed it clear as anything!
The Blades were handed a blow before the game with two key men ruled out through injury with Jack O’Connell (knee) and John Fleck (knock) both missing. It seems O’Connell’s may be more serious. Without arguably their two best players were bot the best preparation. In came Jack Robinson for his full league debut and Sander Berge. On the bench, nine subs could be names of which any five could be called upon. There were returns to the matchday squad for Rodwell, Kieron Freeman and Leon Clarke. There was no place for Retos and Zivkovic which may cast questions over their future at the club you would think with both players loan deals up in a few weeks.
Villa had John McGinn back but named Keinan Davis upfront and a surprise start also for keeper Orjan Nyland. There was no place for the injured Tom Heaton and record signing Wesley; both still out with long term injuries.
After a minute’s silence and both teams took the knee to honour the Black Live Matter in a touching moment. United began in composed fashion moving it about but slowly Villa started to come into the game with Davis trying to get into Egan at every opportunity and giving away two fouls.
The first chance came when Villa beat the offside trap and Hourihane hit an effort but it was straight at Henderson who palmed away the first effort on goal. Soon after Hause and Grealish were involved but Davis headed over when well placed in the best chance of the game.
United was very cautious so far and wasn’t not getting men forward as per normal. Norwood was pressed and gave it away but Robinson got his foot in to make a vital tackle.
Villa continued to be the more assertive in a game with a slow pace and McGinn headed off target. Grealish won a few free-kick and United continued to be sloppy. The home team were knocking it forward and going long and Davis was the main threat winning knockdowns.
After 24 minutes, there was a planned drink break which the slow pace barely merited.
El Ghazi got in the box but theatrically threw himself to the ground and Lundstram showed his frustration. Luiz chopped down McBurnie as United went down the other end.
United had not shown much as an attacking threat and Norwood’s corner was wasteful before Villa won one of their own but Hause chested wide.
A decent few minutes saw Stevens link well but the final ball never came over and the Blades had not threatened at all still. The game became scrappy and Lundstram was then booked harshly for stopping a free-kick – not sure he could get out of the way.
Sharp had toiled well and won a free-kick after the contact from Hause. The free-kick was swung in and Nyland made a mess of it. It was reminiscent of the Blades goals at Palace goal from a corner and it seemed obvious it was taken over the line as his player knocked into him. The referee looked at his watch and either it was not working or there was an error and it did not show goal. Unbelievably with Villa winning a free-kick at the other end, there was not even the use of VAR to spot the most obvious error you could see. An absolute joke that the biggest league in the world and all the technology with the eyes of the world on it and they miss something that Sunday League officials would see. Not quite sure how the assistant referee did not see it. An absolute farce.
Not long after the half time whistle went and Wilder was enraged. It seemed that there was an issue with the goal-line technology and they admitted it had not been working.
The second half began with the controversy still raging over the first half decision but Villa picked off where they left off and Grealish won a corner and United were struggling to get going. Soon after another ball over the top and in on the angle was Davis and his shot was saved excellently by Henderson who pushed behind. The same man had a header saved by Henderson from another corner and Villa continued to dominate the ball and chances.
United tried to have some respite but again McBurnie and Sharp were not in the game and with Berge a virtual passenger, the Blades were forced back again. El Ghazi’s cross was dangerous after a lovely ball from Grealish but just evaded Davis at the far post with Egan diving in also. On the hour McGinn hit a curling shot but this was more comfortable for Henderson.
On 64 minutes United brought on McGoldrick and Freeman (Luke) for Sharp and Berge. Villa also made a double change with El Ghazi and Davis being replaced by Samatta and Trezeguet. Soon after McGinn and Konsa departed for Nakata and El Mohamady as the flurry of changes continued.
United had their best chance with poor defending saw United win the ball back but McBurnie’s pass was short and Lundstram’s shot was blocked.
Nyland then looked uncertain again on a cross and parried away but Villa cleared away.
Mousset replaced McBurnie with ten minutes to play and at least United started to get on it more but was still not creating much but McGoldrick saw them retain the ball more. We finally saw a few traditional overloads down the right but once again the final ball was poor.
The game entered four minutes of additional time and it almost seemed like both teams had run their race and the game seemed to just peter out. United ended with the ball but disappointingly moved it backwards rather than seek a late chance and the final whistle went soon after.
A point apiece and an odd one to describe. Villa will be the happier of the performances but United will feel aggrieved despite a sloppy display that they did not get the three points after the incredible decision.
Report by deadbat_db
Aston Villa: Nyland, Konsa (El Mohamady 76′), Hause, Mings, Targett, Hourihane, Douglas Luiz, McGinn (Nakamba 76′), El Ghazi (Trézéguet 69′), Davis (Samatta 69′) Grealish. Unsued: Taylor, Bastón, Jota, Reina, Vassilev.
Sheffield United: Henderson, Baldock, Stevens, Basham, Lundstram, McBurnie (Mousset 80′), Sharp (McGoldrick 69′), Egan, Norwood, Robinson, Berge (L. Freeman 69′). Unused: Jagielka, K. Freeman, Osborn, Clarke, Moore, Rodwell.