Aston Villa vs Sheffield United LIVE: Result and reaction as Premier League returns after 100 days
The 2019/20 Premier League season is back
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Christian Purslow, Aston Villa's chief executive, believes the resumption of the Premier League will be a successful on, saying:
"I think it will lift everyone to be watching football. We will have the eyes of the world on us but the level of planning and preparation that has gone in makes me extremely confident that it will be a great success.
"It [the Premier League's return] now feels about right.
"I am not sure I felt that when we first confirmed but I think events have caught up with football and it now feels absolutely the right thing and there is a palpable sense of excitement."
Aston Villa versus Sheffield United kick starts a rollarcoaster ride of Premier League fixtures. Nine rounds of fixtures to be played over six weeks.
Titles, European spots, and relegation places are all on the table. It's going to be a hectic and strange time but the bottom line is that football's back.
What can we expect from the behind closed doors matches?
Unlike in the Bundesliga, players and coaching staff will not be required to waer masks at stadiums but many may chose to do so.
Players have been encouraged not to spit, clear their noses or break social distancing rules during goal celebartions.
There are no ball boys/girls and a system of sterilised replacement balls will be used.
Augmented crowd noises will be played throughout the matches to stimulate the atmosphere of a packed house but of course it won't really be the same.
There will also be a minute's silence to remember those who have died with coronavirus before the first matches.
Team news - Aston Villa
Aston Villa make six! changes to the starting line-up from their 4-0 defeat to Leicester in their last Premier League match.
Pepe Reina, Marvelous Nakamba, Ahmed Elmohamady and Mbwana Samatta all drop to the bench with Bjorn Engels and Frederic Guilbert not in the squad.
Orjan Nyland starts in goal with Ezri Konsa, Anwar El Ghazi, Kortney Hause and Keinan Davis all come in. John McGinn returns from injury to start for the first time in six months.
Team news - Sheffield United
Two changes for the Blades from their last fixture, a 1-0 victory over Norwich.
Jack Robinson and Sander Berge come in to replace John Fleck and Jack O'Connell, who miss out through injury.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments