Aston Villa and their plethora of African players returned to Premier League action with a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United on Wednesday, as Dean Smith opted to start without Tanzania’s Mbwana Samatta.
The point wasn’t a dreadful result for the Villains, who were fortunate not to have fallen behind when Hawk Eye failed to identify a goal despite Oliver Norwood’s free kick being fumbled over the goalline by Orjan Nyland.
That technical error—we can hardly blame the referees—saved Villa from defeat, although the Midlanders had chances to win the game themselves.