Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United: Goalless draw on Premier League return
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Aston Villa keeper Orjan Nyland appeared to be holding the ball behind the goalline
The Premier League made its return after a 100-day absence as Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a goalless draw in a match memorable for powerful statements before kick-off - and a major technology controversy.
As the action resumed behind closed doors at a largely deserted Villa Park, the players of both sides and officials took a knee for 10 seconds immediately before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
This was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of those who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
When the game got under way in this new environment, Sheffield United were the victims of a serious first-half injustice when Villa keeper Orjan Nyland fell behind his goalline clutching Oliver Norwood's free-kick in the 41st minute, only for referee Michael Oliver's watch to fail to signal a goal.
It was the pivotal moment of an affair high on endeavour but low on quality that at least represented the success of 'Project Restart' after the season was halted because of the global coronavirus crisis, bringing a result that was arguably more satisfactory for the visitors.
Villa - who were thwarted by some fine saves from United keeper Dean Henderson - will feel an opportunity has been missed, while a point for the Blades leaves them four points from Chelsea in fourth place.
There was, at least, a sense of relief that domestic football was finally up and running once more.
Powerful moments amid 'the new normal'
Pepe Reina (left), Tyrone Mings (centre) and Jack Grealish (right) warming up for Aston Villa
The silence enforced on this occasion by circumstances, with barely 300 people inside this vast Villa Park stadium, only added to the powerful moments that took place before kick-off.
After a minute's silence in memory of those who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, players and officials took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement at the sound of Oliver's whistle.
It was a truly atmospheric moment amid a game lacking the theatre and soundtrack traditionally provided by fans, while players also had Black Lives Matter printed across the back of their shirts where their names would usually be.
Aston Villa did their best to build the tension with a bombastic pre-match play-list and theatrical announcements of the home team line-up, but there is no doubt the so-called "new normal" will take some getting used to and may never be to the taste of many traditionalists.
This, however, is the current reality in the middle of a global crisis and there was no lack of effort, endeavour - or noise - from two highly-committed sets of players.
Chris Wilder was the more vocal and visible manager in his technical area and, for all the restrictions, the physical challenges were as committed as ever.
This alien environment will need acclimatisation from the players themselves, as well as all those in and around the other parts of the game. Muscle memory kicks in but there is no question the absence of a crowd and the flow of adrenaline that provides may take some getting used to, so there may well be something of a transitional period.
Welcome back technology
Members of the press remain socially distanced while wearing face masks to report from Villa Park
Those who have missed Premier League football so much during its 100-day hiatus may even have been tempted to greet the return of the video assistant referee (VAR) and goalline technology as old friends rather than the unwanted distraction that made them a target for such criticism before the campaign was halted.
Do not tell that to Sheffield United.
The Blades were denied a clear goal when Villa keeper Nyland carried Norwood's free-kick behind the line.
United's players were incredulous when the goal was not given, Oliver pointing to his watch to insist he had received no signal that the ball had crossed the line. It later became clear that he should have been alerted but was not and VAR was unable to intervene.
Sadly, a failure of technology meant a serious injustice was done on the Premier League's big comeback night.
Henderson shows his class
Villa Park was decorated with banners in the absence of supporters
Henderson's reputation has soared during his loan spell at Sheffield United from Manchester United - and it is easy to see why Wilder was delighted the 23-year-old is staying with the Blades until the end of the season.
He has calm command and produced the goods when called upon with some fine saves, including from Conor Hourihane, Keinan Davis and John McGinn.
There was plenty of endeavour but not huge amounts of quality, with Villa probably regretting their failure to make the most of some early chances, especially when Davis headed over from under the bar after a corner.
United, as ever, were resilient and showed the grit they have demonstrated throughout this excellent season.
And, when this first Premier League game back is analysed, they will have every right to curse the failure of technology we have been led to believe we can rely on.
Football is back - with all its qualities and faults.
Man of the match - Dean Henderson
In a game of few chances, England prospect Henderson still had to make six saves
'I think the keeper was in the Holte End' - manager reaction
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "I think the goalkeeper was in the Holte End when he caught it - or dragged it back. My issue is obviously one of frustration. Seven cameras haven't picked it up - the most technical league in the world - everything we see at every angle and it hasn't seen a goal. That is disappointing from our point of view.
"I did have a laugh and joke beforehand that we have had some poor decisions go against us and I said I wouldn't bet against one going against us this evening.
"We were waiting for somebody at Stockley Park to show a bit of courage and say they will make that decision, but if they've not seen it and seven cameras haven't seen it I suppose they will say that it was not their decision to make.
"It was a really strange afternoon and evening. Quite difficult as well. We should never underestimate the effect of playing in front of supporters. That was quite difficult for both sets of players. Most times we would be talking about a pretty average game but we are not, we are talking about a decision that has affected the result."
The best of the stats
Today's meeting between Aston Villa and Sheffield United was the first English top-flight game to be played in the month of June since Sheffield United beat Stoke 2-1, on the 14th June 1947.
Aston Villa have lost just one of their eight Premier League games against Sheffield United (W5 D2), a 0-2 defeat in this season's reverse fixture at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United are the first side to stop Aston Villa from scoring at home in the Premier League since West Ham in September 2019 (0-0), ending their run of scoring in 10 consecutive league games at Villa Park.
Sheffield United have won 44 points from their opening 29 Premier League games this season; the highest points tally in the competition by a newly promoted side at this stage of a season since Birmingham City in 2009-10 (also 44 pts).
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish has won more fouls this season (131) than any other player in a single Premier League campaign since Opta started recording such data (1998-99).
No goalkeeper has kept more Premier League clean sheets this season than Sheffield United's Dean Henderson (11, also Burnley's Nick Pope).
Conor Hourihane created seven chances for his Aston Villa teammates in this game, the joint most by a Villa player in a Premier League game this season (Jack Grealish also seven vs Southampton in December 2019).
Sheffield United's Jack Robinson made his second ever Premier League start in this game, nine years & 55 days after making his first start in the competition, for Liverpool against Birmingham in April 2011 - the second longest gap between a player's first two Premier League starts and the longest for an outfield player.