Aston Villa falls short of seizing the opportunity to claim the Premier League lead, held to a home draw by Sheffield United.
Cameron Archer, who was transferred from Villa to the Blades during the summer, surprised the home team by scoring in the 88th minute from close range. Although substitute Nicolo Zaniolo secured a point for Villa with a stoppage-time header, they couldn’t secure a victory.
Villa aimed for a win to claim the top spot for the first time since August 2011, marking the first time in 25 years they hadn’t led the table at this point in a season. Despite dominating possession and generating numerous chances, they remain behind Arsenal at the top due to goal difference.
In the second half, Leon Bailey found the net, but the goal was disallowed by the video assistant referee. Villa had earlier come close in the first half when United’s goalkeeper Wes Foderingham made a low save from Moussa Diaby, and Ezri Konsa sent a header over the far post from a John McGinn corner.
VAR added to their frustration, supporting referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to not award a penalty in the 11th minute when Ollie Watkins was brought down by Vinicius Souza.
The Video Assistant Referee continued to be a source of disappointment for Villa in the second half. Jacob Ramsey was deemed to have fouled Foderingham during a corner before Bailey’s goal just before the hour mark.
In the 88th minute, Archer dealt a sucker punch by converting Gustavo Hamer’s pull-back from within the six-yard box. However, Zaniolo provided a small consolation by heading home Douglas Luiz’s cross in the 97th minute, beating Foderingham.
Villa’s Christmas dreams dashed
The lead-up to this match was dominated by discussions about how a victory would secure Villa’s position at the top of the Premier League table after at least 18 games into a season, a feat not achieved since they led at Christmas in 1998.
Despite a club-record streak of 15 consecutive home league wins, which included triumphs over Manchester City and Arsenal in their two previous matches at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s team is now out of that winning streak.
United manager Chris Wilder approached this game as if it were a clash with a title contender, implementing a 5-4-1 formation whenever Villa had possession, which was for the majority of the game. Villa maintained 78% possession over more than 100 minutes of play, and although it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, it proved effective in frustrating the hosts and neutralizing their creative players.
Despite pre-match festivities, including a light show and fireworks, building anticipation for a potential move to the top of English football, the match turned into a letdown as nerves heightened, and the visitors grew bolder, overshadowing what should have been Villa’s significant night.
Credit must be given to United however, who now have four points from their first three games since Wilder’s return to the club to boost their hopes of Premier League survival – they have moved off the bottom of the table, although they remain five points from safety after Zaniolo’s equaliser.
Bailey denied after Ramsey foul
Instead, the narrative of this match revolved around refereeing decisions, both those upheld and overturned by VAR.
Villa’s first encounter with officiating controversy occurred when Watkins attempted to connect with Lucas Digne’s arching cross, seemingly shoved to the ground by Souza before he could head the ball. As it was not considered a clear and obvious error by Taylor, the on-field decision remained unchanged.
Another instance of denial unfolded when Bailey, appearing to give the hosts the lead with a clinical finish from Watkins’ low cross, had the goal disallowed after United’s George Baldock lost possession in his own box. Though not immediately apparent, replays revealed that Ramsey had impeded Foderingham’s arm during the set piece.
A significant reprieve for Baldock followed when the ball seemed to strike his forearm in the penalty area, only for Taylor and VAR to assert that it had made contact with his chest.