Jack Grealish admits Aston Villa's Premier League return 'felt like a friendly'

Midfielder, who has been charged with driving offences after a car crash during the coronavirus lockdown, says he found it tough playing in front of an empty stadium

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, left, battles for the ball with Chris Basham of Sheffield United as the Premier League returned to action on Wednesday, June 17. The match at Villa Park finished 0-0. AFP

Players of Aston Villa and Sheffield United take a knee ahead of the game at Villa Park. EPA

Sheffield United and Aston Villa players and staff members kneel as a statement against racism at Villa Park. AFP

Players line up as the Premier League restarted in Villa Park behind closed door. Reuters

A staff member of Aston Villa disinfects the goal net pole on Wednesday. EPA

Keinan Davis of Aston Villa is challenged by Jack Robinson of Sheffield United at Villa Park on Wednesday. Getty

Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa is challenged by Ollie Norwood of Sheffield United. Getty

Sheffield United players look on from the stands at Villa Park. AFP

Sheffield United's Irish defender Enda Stevens wears a jersey bearing "Black Lives Matter". AFP

Aston Villa's Keinan Davis challenges Sheffield United's Jack Robinson. Reuters

Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa battles for possession with Oliver McBurnie of Sheffield United. Getty

The Premier League resumed behind closed door on Wednesday. Reuters

Aston Villa's Keinan Davis jumps for a header on Wednesday. AFP

'Black Lives Matter' writing is seen on the back of Ollie Norwood and Billy Sharp's jerseys. Getty

Aston Villa's substitute players maintain social distance. EPA

Sheffield United's John Egan takes on Aston Villa's Keinan Davis. Reuters

Oliver McBurnie and Jack Robinson of Sheffield United appeal for a goal which is later denied as Orjan Nyland of Aston Villa catches the ball at Villa Park on Wednesday. Getty

Captain Jack Grealish admitted that Aston Villa's return to Premier League action felt like a friendly.

Villa host Chelsea in their second game back on Sunday, with games being played behind-closed-doors for the rest of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Dean Smith's side restarted the Premier League on Wednesday, drawing 0-0 with Sheffield United and missing the chance to drag themselves out of the relegation zone.

They earned a point after goal line technology failed when goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried Oliver Norwood's free-kick over the line but referee Michael Oliver's watch did not register the goal.

But Grealish, who has been charged with driving without due care and attention and failing to stop at a scene of an accident after he broke lockdown rules in March, has found adapting to an empty stadium tough.

"People said it would be different once we got out there because you would know it is on TV and there are millions watching," the 24-year-old, who has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United, told Villa TV.

"It's weird. You do feel it is like a game behind closed doors, probably like a non-competitive game.

"You try not to think like that because it is a competitive game and you are fighting for points. But it is hard, if I am honest. All we can do now is give our all to the end of the season and try to get results

"I love playing with fans and performing in front of fans and showing what I can do."

Chelsea loanee Danny Drinkwater, who missed Wednesday's draw through injury, cannot play against his parent club, while John McGinn will be assessed as he returns from a fractured ankle.

Bjorn Engels (Achilles) is out along with long-term knee injury victims Wesley and Tom Heaton.

Keinan Davis could earn his second Premier League start after a full top-flight bow on Wednesday and manager Dean Smith feels the 22-year-old can help Villa survive.

"I thought his impact was really good but it was what I'd seen in the last four weeks of training and in the practice matches we'd had," he said.

"He's going to be a top player. He's a lad who has come through the academy and I've always said I've been a big fan of him and that the biggest problem is keeping him fit.

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"He's had a few little niggles and injuries over the last 18 months, and he needed a long period without injury. This mini pre-season has been able to give him that."

One Chelsea player Villa know all about is Tammy Abraham, with the England striker having scored 25 goals on loan at Villa to help the win promotion from the Championship last season.

The 22-year-old has scored 15 goals from 34 games back with his parent club this term and Smith said: "I don’t need to give my centre-halves any plans. They know him very well, as we all do.

"He’s gone onto Chelsea in the Premier League this season and done what I expected him to do. I’m pleased that he’s had his opportunity with Frank [Lampard] there and he’s shown everyone what a good player he is.

"Our centre-halves know from training with him every day last season how good he is and how good they will have to be to keep him quiet."