Villa played out a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United in the first Premier League game of Project Restart.

See our player ratings in a game where goal-line technology, or indeed it’s failure, was the ultimate talking point.

Nyland

Extremely fortunate to escape without conceding just before half-time after carrying the ball over the line.  Guilty also of a poor attempt to collect a cross in the second half.  Untroubled for long periods, but shaky when called upon.  A concern after a promising return to confidence and better form earlier this season, hopefully he can be steadied ahead of a sterner test at Chelsea.

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Konsa

A good performance at right back, deputising for injured Frederic Guilbert.  Strong in the tackle and composed when Sheffield United probed.  Reassuring to have an able back up / alternative in this position in the squad.

Hause

Hause was called into unexpected action at Villa Park, replacing Bjorn Engel’s, who was missing through an achilles injury.  Started well, unlucky to see a headed effort go wide, but almost un-did his efficient work with a loose pass late in the second half and was fortunate that Douglas Luiz was nearby to clear up.

Mings

An overall solid and physical performance from Mings at centre half.  Marauding at times and uncompromising at others (hacking down a United player for good measure in the second half), Mings was never far from the ball when it neared the Villa goal.  Perhaps had a good shout for a penalty after having his shirt visibly pulled in the box.  A consistent, tireless display though.

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Targett

Our left back found himself repeatedly the focus of Sheffield United attempts to breach the Villa back line and did well to hold firm.  Sometimes guilty of wayward distribution having worked hard to reclaim possession.

Hourihane

A busy performance from the Irish international who was unlucky with an early effort saved by Henderson.  Always showing for the pass, but occasionally lightweight in the middle, this was a good overall performance.  Struggled to effect change in the game and arguably too deep to do it much of the time.

Douglas Luiz

In and out of the match at times, but contributed a vital late interception after an error by Hause.  The Brazilian was deployed very deep in a protective role.  When there were moments that his threat around the opposition box might have reaped greater reward, Luiz, like Hourihane, was too far away.

McGinn

Unlucky with an early header saved by Henderson but was busy in midfield, showing occasional bursts of pace.  Unlucky with a first half run on goal and a penalty appeal correctly denied.  Harried Sheffield United when in possession in the early part of the second half, but was withdrawn as he faded on his first competitive return from injury.  Promising overall and a very welcome feature within the Villa midfield.

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El Ghazi

Delivered a dangerous square ball which Davis was unable to covert, but inconsistent overall in possession and creativity.  El Ghazi continues to frustrate, demonstrating glimpses of genuine quality but often undermined by poor decision making when well placed.  Had a first half penalty appeal waved away after neat footwork but a theatrical fall.

Davis

A physical and at times threatening display from Davis as he competed well physically with the United defence.  Saw a header loop over from close range when under pressure and a well hit effort saved one handed from inside the area.  Also involved in the bizarre Nyland incident, with his momentum bundling our keeper over the line.  Will be dissapointed not to have got on the scoresheet, but a promising overall display.  Food for thought given Wesley’s absence and having been preferred to Samatta.

Grealish

Took a little while to settle into the game and struggled after a couple of attempts to beat players didn’t come off.  Victim to a couple of late challenges that have become the norm for Grealish, but he persisted to move himself and the ball for the full 90 minutes.  Showed drive and purpose during the second half, bursting forward to release El Ghazi.  Must be marked down for such a questionable lockdown hair-do.

Substitutes Used

Nakamba

Very, very sluggish when he came on.  Lingered unforgivably on one occasion before being disspossed in a dangerous area.  A casual piece of play that could have been costly for us.

Trézéguet

A couple of runs down the line but crowded out on more than one occasion.  Lacked the pace to beat his man more than once at a point in the game we needed someone to stretch the visitors.

Elmohamady

Uneventful appearance, delivered a cross late on, but nothing major to note.

Samatta

Replaced Davis but had little in the way of service for the twenty minutes he appeared on the pitch.  Received a minor knock to the head after a collision but continued.  Little to take away.

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