So finally after the heartbreak of Wembley, Sheffield Wednesday were finally able to get back onto the pitch and play a game that actually mattered.
And boy, did they have a tough game to start off with. They would face Aston Villa, relegated from the Premier League and actually feeling pretty positive after being taken over by Dr Tony Xia. They were even willing to splash the cash and have the biggest signing of the summer so far by spending £12m on Ross McCormack.
There were worries for both teams though. Wednesday fans had some concern over their defence after they failed to sign any new centre backs ahead of the new season with that situation made worse by the injury to Glenn Loovens. At Aston Villa, no one was quite sure how devastating last season’s relegation had been on the psyche of the squad and if they’d bounce back as many hoped.
But the worries for Wednesday would soon go away while Villa’s would multiply when late on in what had been an entertaining game, Fernando Forestieri latched onto a poor clearance from Pierluigi Gollini and was able to dash into the box and score the winner.
But how did Twitter react to this game?
https://twitter.com/JordanTheOwl/status/762579768579686401
#SWFC
Good Sheffield double on 1st weekend. Lees & Forestieri value up another few million after that performance 😊. Hutchinson great too.— Wendy Birks (@WEBI48) August 8, 2016
Such a good day yesterday! Atmosphere was incredible! Played some really good football and a clean sheet is always sweet! #swfc #uto #wawaw
— 🦉🏴Alfie The Owl🏴🦉 (@DonAlfieGarnett) August 8, 2016
Quality start to the season #swfc feel like this season could be our year💙
— Matt Herrington (@m_herrington11) August 7, 2016
For all his faults I thought Bacuna grew into the game! & Westwood for me looks quality at this level! the performance gave me hope #AVFC
— TheVillain (@TheVillain2016) August 8, 2016
Even more evident after yesterday how vital it is we keep hold of Jordan Ayew #avfc
— Rob Milne (@Robathon_) August 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/mbandd2/status/762600071473037312
Disappointing to lose yesterday but plenty to be happy about. Still reckon we'll go straight up #avfc #utv
— al salvation (@alsalvation) August 8, 2016