Chalk this up as a controversial comeback. The Premier League returned after a 100-day break with its penchant for drama intact, even if the technology was not. Sheffield United suffered an injustice that could have a huge impact at either end of the table. If Aston Villa stay up by a point, or United miss out on Champions League football by one or two, it will be attributable in part to events in the 42nd minute.
It seemed as though the usually reliable Hawkeye technology had not been turned on. Certainly Oliver Norwood, aided by a goalkeeping error, appeared to have put the ball in the Villa net. Instead, a stalemate ensued as United missed the chance to go fifth and Villa the opportunity to exit the relegation zone. If they are entitled to argue their performance merited a point, there can be no doubt their visitors deserved a goal.
Orjan Nyland conceded six times on his first Premier League start. His second almost brought another embarrassment as Dean Smith’s decision to prefer him to Pepe Reina threatened to backfire. The Norwegian made a mess of dealing with Norwood’s in-swinging free kick, collided with team-mate Keinan Davis and seemed to carry it over the line.
Goal-line technology failed: referee Michael Oliver’s watch did not vibrate to say the ball had crossed the line, though it clearly did, and there was no intervention from VAR. United have had their issues with VAR this season and this provided more grounds for complaint.
At least it was not the only memorable moment. After Oliver whistled to the start the game, the officials and each player took a knee just as every footballer, instead of his name, had ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of his shirt. It amounted to a powerful, moving image, created by an agreement between the two clubs.
The changing times were reflected in other ways. Villa paid tribute in the Holte End to Ron Smith, Dean’s late father who died of coronavirus. A lone steward’s jacket highlighted his former status at the club he supported. The ground was draped in flags, covering seats where fans would normally sit.
The watching supporters at home witnessed an improved performance. Villa were at a low ebb in March. The break allowed John McGinn to regain fitness and, if he did not fully recapture his early-season form, the Scot tested Dean Henderson with first a header and then a curling shot and showed hints of his running power with one burst into the penalty box. Unsurprisingly, McGinn was replaced in his first game of 2020 but a talisman’s return a talisman offers optimism for the run-in and should relieve the burden on Jack Grealish.
Smith sprang a surprise by granting Davis a maiden Premier League start. The striker posed a threat with his ability to run in behind the United defence. When he eluded John Egan to meet Matt Targett’s pass, he drew a fine save from Henderson. He was also an aerial threat and, with Wesley out for the season, Davis suggested he may be the answer for Villa.
They made the brighter start and had the more opportunities whereas United, who had been on the charge, lost continuity and rhythm after a three-month hiatus. Training-ground injuries cost them the services of Jack O’Connell, previously an ever-present, and John Fleck, the tormentor of Villa in December, and the left half of their side suffered.
They took time to get into their stride and, with the exception of Norwood’s goal that wasn’t, did not muster an attempt on target for 70 minutes. Even then, Oli McBurnie’s header was tame, though John Lundstram had just miscued a better chance.
Yet while they had a large slice of fortune, Villa could take solace in the clean sheet. The side with the worst defensive record were well organised, with Ezri Konsa doing a fine job as a makeshift right-back. There was a slice of history for Smith, the first manager to make four substitutions in a Premier League game, with Ahmed Elmohamady the record-breaking player. That, however, is not why this game will be remembered as the Premier League returned with a strange, cruel twist in the plot.
