After three months of waiting for the first Premier League game back, it produced no goals. Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a largely tepid goalless draw at Villa Park. However, in the first half, there was one major point of controversy that should have resulted in the Blades taking the lead and, ultimately, winning the game.
Sheffield United Denied Win By Goal Line Technology Error
Nyland’s Blunder But Villa Off the Hook
Shortly before half-time, Sheffield United were awarded a free-kick on the left channel after a needless foul. Set-piece specialist Ollie Norwood stood over the ball and his curling delivery looked to be heading towards the top corner.
Villa keeper Orjan Nyland, starting ahead of Pepe Reina, looked to just about have the ball under control, but was then pushed over his own goal line by teammate Keinan Davis as he ran back to defend the ball.
Nyland then held the ball against the back of the post, which technically means the whole ball is not over, but a previous frame of the clip showed the Villa keeper holding the ball well over the line.
The visiting players pleaded with referee Michael Oliver, but his watch did not signal that the ball had gone over. Therefore, he could not give the goal.
Sky Sports confirmed during their broadcast that there was no reason for VAR to not intervene in the matter. It has not yet been discovered why it did not. They also said that they had tried to get into contact with those running the hawkeye technology and were told that it was ‘now fixed and would be in operation for the second half’.
O’Connell’s Absence Felt By Blades
It was confirmed earlier today that defender Jack O’Connell would be missing through a knee injury. His lack of presence was sorely felt by the Blades as they lacked their usual ability to have under-lapping centre-backs.
That’s what has made them so effective this season, but with debutant Jack Robinson filling in at centre-back, they were much more conservative when going forward. Indeed, their only real chances in the game were the Norwood ghost goal and a late effort from John Lundstram that he skewed wide from a good position.
Positives for Villa
Aside from the joint-worst defence in the league managing to keep a clean sheet, another positive for the hosts was the performance of youngster Davis up front. He looked bright early on and caused numerous problems for Sheffield United defender John Egan.
While a point is far from the best result – it does not move them out of the relegation zone as a win would have – it is a another point on the board in far from usual circumstances. Wins for Bournemouth, Watford or West Ham United this weekend, though, would probably change that feeling.
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