Aston Villa vs Sheffield United LIVE: Result and reaction as Premier League returns after 100 days
The 2019/20 Premier League season is back
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Your support makes all the difference.Aston Villa drew with Sheffield United as the 2019/20 Premier League season resumes.
After 98 days football in England returned to the field with Villa hoping to get a result to kickstart their push for safety at Villa Park. The Blades have far loftier ambitions and will have their eyes on an unlikely Champions League qualification place should things break right for them between now and the end of the season.
The match was an even affair blighted by controversy as goal-line technology appeared to miss the ball go over the line in the first-half denying Sheffield United a certain goal.
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Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Aston Villa vs Sheffield United as the 2019/20 Premier League season resumes.
After 98 long days football in England returns to the field tonight with Villa hoping to kickstart their push for safety at Villa Park.
The Blades have far loftier ambitions and will have their eyes on an unlikely Champions League qualification place should things break right for them between now and the end of the season.
It promises to be the first of many unique occasions as the English top flight gets used to the new normal in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
We will have all the latest build-up, action and analysis for you throughout the evening.
Ahead of the first game back this evening, we took a look at how Sheffield United and Aston Villa's respective seasons were looking before the break, and what to expect from their remaining fixtures.
First up, here's everything you need to know about Villa's term:
Here's a bit of team news ahead of the game.
Wesley Moares and Tom Heaton are still out for Aston Villa, while Sheffield United have received a double fitness boost...
Former Villa left-back Enda Stevens is back at full health after a long-term injury, while Lys Mousset is also available again.
Aston Villa chief executive officer Christian Purslow has urged fans not to congregate at Villa Park ahead of tonight's game.
"Please, enjoy watching us on television, I hope we put on a good show for you live on television, and as soon as it is safe and as soon as it is legal to do so, we’ll have fans back at Villa Park,” he said.
Read the full story here:
How do you think the game will play out at Villa Park tonight?
We're expecting the Premier League to return with an entertaining, open match. Aston Villa will be desperate to claw their way out of the relegation zone and we think they can snatch a point at home.
Aston Villa 2-2 Sheffield United is our prediction...
Aston Villa vs Sheffield United will be shown live on Sky Sports tonight, with kick-off at 6pm.
To watch the match without a Sky Sports subscription, you can purchase a Now TV pass here.
From a footballing perspective the lockdown came at the right time for Aston Villa. They are on a five-game losing streak in all competitions including four straight losses in the league.
This is Villa's longest losing streak since a run of 11 matches in the Premier League in 2016.
Can they turn their fortunes around tonight?
Early team news
The team news will be out at around 5 o'clock but here's what we know so far:
John McGinn is available for Aston Villa for the first time since fracturing an ankle on 21st December 2019, although head coach Dean Smith says he will manage McGinn's workload which probably means he won't start tonight.
Goalkeeper Jed Steer is back after an Achilles injury but Tom Heaton and Wesley are both out until next season.
It's nothing but good news for Sheffield United who have a fully-fit squad going into the match.
Manager Chris Wilder has hinted there will be no surprises in his line-up
The Premier League returns with a match that will have implications at both ends of the table. Aston Villa head into the match in 19th, two points away from safety with a game in hand. A win over Sheffield United would help their cause and move them up to 16th but they'll still be stuck in the fight to avoid relegation. The next six weeks could be crucial for them.
As for the Blades they are pushing for an unlikely spot in Europe next season. They are currently five points away from a Champions League place and a win over Villa puts them in fifth, the Europa League position. Chris Wilder's team have had a blinder of a season and the head coach will want that to continue tonight.
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