Supporters of Sheffield United have waited 101 days without football; it has been over three months since the Blades were last in action when they beat Norwich City by a single goal on home soil. They now resume the 2019-20 Premier League season with a trip to Aston Villa.
The authorities had allowed clubs to play out behind closed doors friendlies, allowing players used to playing 90-minute football again and also, with fans unable to attend matches, surrounding themselves with the familiarity of playing in an empty stadium. Whilst these are serious games with lots at stake, there will be a friendly atmosphere to it.
Opponents had to be no more than 90 minutes away, and United took this opportunity to face Huddersfield Town 9won 4-2), and Hull City (won 4-0).
If the Blades are successful in their plight in claiming maximum points over Aston Villa, then United will leap-frog over Wolves and Manchester United, and into the fifth position, and will set themselves just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea ahead of the next round of fixtures at Newcastle United on 21st.
The United faithful were boosted by the news that two first-team players had put pen to paper on a new contract. Billy Sharp will remain at the Lane until 2022, and Oliver Norwood until 2013 after penning new deals.
With play resuming in the league, it was also agreed by the authorities that clubs are permitted to name an additional two substitutes on the team sheet, whilst they can make five substitution changes during the game. This is a temporary measure whilst the 20 Premier League clubs fulfil the remaining fixtures.
When play resumes this Wednesday, our opponents, Aston Villa, are expected to be without 2 key players through injuries which had niggled them since they were last in action. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton and Attacker Wesley have been injured since April and have been ruled out for this opening fixture.
Last Time We Met
Remaining Blades Fixtures;
21 Jun – Newcastle United (a) 14:00
24 Jun – Manchester United (a) 18:00
28 Jun – Arsenal (h) FA Cup QF 13:00
30 Jun – Tottenham Hotspur (h) 20:15
04 Jul – Burnley (a) 15:00
08 Jul – Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 20:00
11 Jul – Chelsea (h) 15:00
15 Jul – Leicester City (a) 20:00
18 Jul – Everton (h) 15:00
26 Jul – Southampton (a) 15:00