Aston Villa missed their opportunity to go top of the Premier League as they were held to a highly frustrating 1-1 draw by relegation battlers Sheffield United on Friday night. Unai Emery wrote in his pre-match programme notes that the Blades would be tougher to beat than Arsenal and Manchester City; the Spaniard might've been right as the visitors sat back to form an almost impassable low block and then scored late on to complete a smash-and-grab win.
Chris Wilder's side had merely 22 per cent of the ball and it took them until the 78th minute to register their first on target but the approach worked as Emery's men were frustrated throughout. Of all people, it was former Villans forward Cameron Archer who netted the Blades' goal as he converted from a low Gustavo Hamer cross in the 87th minute, soaring the away support into bedlam.
Villa equalised through Nicolo Zaniolo very late in stoppage time to rescue a point, but everyone in claret and blue will be frustrated it wasn't to secure all three. The Italian rose highest to nod in a delightful deep Douglas Luiz cross beyond Wes Foderingham – his first Premier League goal for the club.
The Villans will be particularly angered due to two huge refereeing decisions on the night – including a disallowed goal which would've given the hosts a 60th-minute lead.
Ollie Watkins was denied an early penalty when he was bundled over at the far post by Blades midfielder Vini Souza. Anthony Taylor waved away appeals and then VAR refused to overturn the original decision, even despite the replays displaying a clear Souza shove. That will probably go down as an error when it's reviewed again.
Bailey's goal was chalked off a potential foul on Wes Foderingham was found in the build-up. Replays showed a slight tug of the goalkeeper's arm from Jacob Ramsey and the goal was ruled out following a four-minute VAR check. There was hardly anything in it as Foderingham went down acrobatically. The PGMOL could end apologising for that one, too.
It goes down as a tough result to take for Villa, who won't be top of the Premier League at Christmas. Here are our player ratings.
1. Emiliano Martinez - 6
Didn’t have a single save to make until the 78th minute but was left frustrated as Archer beat him at his near post for 0-1.
2. Matty Cash - 4
Should’ve done a lot better to defend in the lead-up to Archer’s goal as he got caught out of position. Linked up okay with Diaby and Bailey but struggled a little with passes inside, giving the ball away cheaply on more than one occasion.
3. Ezri Konsa - 6
Should’ve scored in the first half as he headed over the bar from merely a yard or two out. Defended well for the most part.
4. Clement Lenglet - 7
Looked very composed on his first Premier League start, passing well and anticipating the little danger that did arise. A particular highlight was when he nodded down a McGinn corner to create a brilliant chance for Watkins.