Enda Stevens has said "it's a disgrace" that a technical error did not allow Sheffield United a goal against Aston Villa.

Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was unable to deal with Oliver Norwoods free kick and seemed to carry the ball over the line but the goal line technology did not register it but replays showed that the ball was clearly over the line.

  • Technology fault costs the Blades

All eyes were on Villa Park as the Premier League returned after a 100 day absence but the game did not live upto to expectations with both teams not performing to their full potential.

However Sheffield United thought they had took the lead but Michael Oliver waved play on and VAR did not intervene with the incident.

Stevens told beIN sports after the game: "We felt it was in, a lot of players were around the ball and we kinda knew it was in the back of the net.

"We couldn't understand why it was not given with the technology in the game now.

"It's mad to think that decisions like that can't be given.

"We kinda knew he had just made a massive mistake but we need decisions to be made there and then.

"There's a lot to play for and there's a lot on the line for both teams and fot a technical issue not to give us a goal, it's a disgrace.

"There's no excuses for that, they should of been prepared for the game and you can't really blame the referee because if he doesn't get the signal from his watch he can't give a goal.

"Whether if it's upto people to let him know or the old fashioned way of linesmen making a decision, something had to be done because it was so far over the line.

  • "We never really kicked on"

The first game back after over 100 days would always be tough, especially playing behind closed doors with several new procedures in place it was always going to be difficult for both sets of players.

The Blades were without key players John Fleck and Jack O'Connell, the latter not missing a single minute in the Premier League this season. Wilder's side failed to get any fluidity and pace into their game which they have been known for this season.

"We never really kicked on," Stevens told beIN sports.

"We started slow and in the second half we didn't really kick on but we take the draw and the clean sheet and move on." 

Sheffield United now sit in sixth place as they look forward to Sunday when they travel to the North East to try and get revenge over Newcastle United for their 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane back in December.