Jonty Banks

Fri 13 January 2023 22:10, UK

Aston Villa continued their fine form under Unai Emery in the Premier League with a strangely unconvincing 2-1 win over Leeds United at Villa Park.

The Villans got off to a blistering start on Friday night (13 January) when Leon Bailey finished off a rapid counter-attack with a curling left-footed strike after just three minutes.

Despite soaking up pressure for large parts of the encounter, Villa made it two against the run of play when Illan Meslier parried Bailey’s fierce strike into the path of Emi Buendia – who duly nodded home into the empty net.

Some sloppy defending allowed Leeds a path back into the game, as Patrick Bamford slotted home from close range, but Villa held on under a barrage of late pressure to claim three points.

Here, Villa News rates the players out of 10 for their performances:

Emi Martinez – 8

Made an outstanding save from point-blank range as he scurried across his line to stop Jack Harrison’s fierce volley from barely a yard out. Took control of his penalty area and claimed cross after cross from the Villa Park night sky. Made a fine diving stop from Willy Gnonto’s curling strike. Couldn’t have done anything about Bamford’s goal.

Ashley Young – 7

Started the move for the opening goal by finding Kamara with a measured pass from inside his own box. Had his hands full against Gnonto and slowly faded as the game progressed. Made a brilliant sliding tackle in the penalty area to deny Tyler Adams, with Buendia going on to score moments later. Was caught out as Gnonto rampaged through to assist Leeds’ goal in the 80th minute. Stuck in there when times got tough.

Ezri Konsa – 3

Was worryingly absent for Jack Harrison’s gilt-edged chance at the back post, and Rodrigo also caught him unawared to sneak through the back-line in the first half. Was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession as Leeds pressed him aggressively. A real off night for Konsa.

Tyrone Mings – 4

Came under heavy pressure as Aston Villa slowly dropped deeper as the game progressed. Wouldn’t have been pleased with the seven first-half shots his defence conceded and had his keeper to thank after Rodrigo beat the offside trap. Slipped while attempting a Cruyff turn on the halfway line that led to a dangerous Leeds attack, and failed to pick up Bamford when he scored late on.

Lucas Digne – 5

Barely had a chance to impact proceedings before picking up a shoulder injury after just five minutes. Was substituted by new signing Alex Moreno.

Jacob Ramsey – 5

Offered himself in possession and was always a willing runner on the ball, but failed to meet his high standards in the first half. Left Moreno a little exposed at times on his debut as he failed to track back as Emery would have wished. Grew into the game as Leeds threw bodies forward, which in turn opened up space on the counter-attack.

Boubacar Kamara – 7

Carried the ball with purpose and power for the opening goal, teeing up Leon Bailey on the edge of the box with a perfectly timed pass. Nipped in with several useful interceptions and tackles at the base of the Villa midfield and oozed class throughout. Was a cut above the Leeds midfield all night.

Douglas Luiz – 5

Gifted Leeds a dangerous freekick in the first half with a clumsy foul on Willy Gnonto, which was followed by a challenge in the box that could have resulted in a Leeds penalty. Failed to replicate his strong showing against Spurs and couldn’t get his attacking game going.

Emi Buendia – 7

The most notable moment in his first-half performance was a scuffle with Liam Cooper just before the half-time whistle. Was a willing helper in the Villa press and helped Ashley Young double up on Willy Gnonto several times. Nodded home Villa’s second from Meslier’s parried save, which was a just reward for his hard work.

Leon Bailey – 10

Faultless from Bailey. Took his opening goal brilliantly, cutting in on his left foot and whipping the ball beyond the helpless Illan Meslier from the edge of the box. Used his pace and power to carve open an opportunity for Watkins minutes later and clearly had the better of Pascal Struijk all night. Cut inside and past the Dutchman once again to assist the second goal with a fizzing strike. Possibly his best performance in a claret and blue shirt.

Ollie Watkins – 5

Was a handful for the Leeds back-four with his hard-running early on. Rolled over his ankle after 20 minutes. Could have gambled when Bailey played a brilliant ball across the edge of the box but was caught on his heels. Was eventually subbed after half an hour as he couldn’t recover from his initial knock.

Substitutes for Aston Villa

Alex Moreno (8 min on for Digne) – 7 – Came on for his Aston Villa debut far earlier than he would have expected but settled into the game pretty quickly. Made a brilliant stop to deny Rodrigo from sliding the ball into an open net with a sliding interception. Showed his attacking capabilities when snapping a shot into Meslier’s palms in the second half and joined a number of Villa’s counter-attacks down the left flank.

Danny Ings ( 31 min on for Watkins) – 5 -Like-for-like replacement for Watkins in and set up alongside Bailey in the front two. A shot that was blocked in the second half was one of his few moments to challenge Meslier in the Leeds net.

Philippe Coutinho (80 min on for Buendia) – 7 – Saw a 30-yard lob drift over the bar. Was chopped to the ground by Meslier’s kamikaze challenge, which should have resulted in a red card.

Morgan Sanson (80 min on for Ramsey) – 6

In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell believes this one women’s player can be the heart of the Villa midfield for years to come after flourishing in her breakout season.