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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Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
81 mins: Aston Villa have been disciplined enough to deserve a win here. They're making inroads into the final third but are just lacking a clinical finish.
Mings arrives late when challenging Mousset to the ball and he brings down the Bladesman. There's a wry smile on his face when he realises he's avoided a booking.
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
84 mins: The game seems to be edging towards a goalless climax. It's all a bit scrappy with attacks breaking down easily.
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
87 mins: Dean Smith urges his side on in the closing minutes. McGoldrick jumps for an aerial ball and lands awkwardly. His left foot jarring as he landed. He's back up and bouncing after a massage from the physio.
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
90 mins: There'll be four minutes added on at the end of the match. Both teams look tired, the urgency to go on a score the winner isn't on show.
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
90+4 mins: The final whistle goes and their first Premier League match in 100 days ends in a goalless draw. Villa will be happy enough, they played well and certainly didn't deserve anything less than a point. The disallowed goal will dominate the post match discussions but a goalless draw is a fair, if rather boring result.
So, Sheffield United take a point away from Villa Park to move them into fourth. Our Premier League coverage continues as Man City host Arsenal next. Here's a look at the teams:
Team news
Lots of changes for both teams. Man City make eight changes from the team that lost the Manchester derby back in March.
Kyle Walker, Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Laporte, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Eric Garcia all come in.
Sergio Aguero is on the bench.
Arsenal also ring in the changes, five of them to be exact. Bellerin, Tierney, Mustafi, Willock and Guendouzi make the starting XI.
It's pouring with rain at the Etihad which should make things a bit more interesting. Here's how we think the match will play out:
Here are the pre-match thoughts of the managers, first up Pep Guardiola:
"We try to play a good game for the few people here and those at home. Of course, after a long injury, it is good that he [Leroy Sane] is back."
On Mikel Arteta's return: "We were together for an incredible three and a half years. I learned a lot from him. He is an exceptional person and I wish him all the best.
"We want to win of course. The best players will win. I cannot play unfortunately and he [Arteta] cannot play either, fortunately!"
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