Anthony Onifade

Sat 22 April 2023 17:07, UK

Douglas Luiz proved the Aston Villa saviour as they continued their unbeaten run under Unai Emery after a 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday [22 April].

Ivan Toney’s 20th goal of the season had put Brentford in front just past the hour before the Brazilian midfielder latched onto Emi Buendia’s pass across the box to blast home a much-needed Villa equaliser.

The result sees Unai Emery’s visitors move five points behind fourth-placed Newcastle despite an average performance overall.

Here, Villa News rate the players out of ten for their performances at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Emi Martinez – 7/10

The Aston Villa saviour and the best performer in the first half as he made some crucial saves from Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney to keep the Bees at bay, and also had the most touches of any Aston Villa player before the break before unexpectedly having to come off for Robin Olsen for the second-half with what seemed to be an injury picked up after a collision with Ivan Toney.

Ashley Young – 4/10

Was absolutely given the runaround by Brentford winger Kevin Schade in the first half and for the first time in a while, it looked like Young’s age seemed to catch up with him. Picked up a yellow card for his usual rashness and over-experience of some sort. Replaced midway through the second half when Emery desperately rang the changes but it was a performance to forget for the former Manchester United man who was mainly at fault for Toney’s goal as he was all at sea.

Tyrone Mings – 6/10

In what was a strikingly average performance from Aston Villa, a far cry from the performance they put in against Newcastle United and Mings will be disappointed at his fellow defenders for the way they conceded the Ivan Toney opener. Could do nothing to lead his team to their sixth win in a row.

Ezri Konsa – 6/10

Assured and consummate alongside Mings at the heart of the defence, making some vital blocks and clearances when it seemed like Brentford would score. Konsa is growing with every game in an Aston Villa shirt and he’ll be hoping he is part of Unai Emery’s plans for the foreseeable. Proving his worth.

Alex Moreno – 3/10

Struggled early on up against Bryan Mbeumo but made a superb last-ditch challenge on the Cameroonian international who looked all but certain for a simple tap-in. However, the Spaniard proved an absolute whimper with the worst SofaScore rating of any player on the pitch before being taken off midway through the second half. Like his teammates, he looked a shadow of the attacking force we enjoyed last weekend against Newcastle United. He’ll be back in the team before long, though.

John McGinn – 6/10

A largely resilient and energetic showing from McGinn as his teammates certainly let him down in a drab and poor performance at the Brentford Community Stadium. The third best-rated SofaScore player in the Aston Villa team as he impressively won six of his 11 ground duels whilst recording three clearances.

Leander Dendoncker – 4/10

So sloppy in the first half. After an assured first start in a while against Newcastle United last weekend, the former Wolves man reverted to type with some lacklustre play at the heart of the midfield before being taken off midway through the second half. Didn’t record any ground duels, no aerial duels whilst only recording 31 touches in an uneventful showing [SofaScore]

Douglas Luiz – 8/10

Like McGinn, Luiz was incredibly efficient in his midfield actions in what was a poor performance from his teammates. Picked up a yellow card for his troubles but he was certainly one of Villa’s better players, winning six of his 11 ground duels and also successfully completing 86% of his passes [SofaScore] and eventually scoring a much-needed equaliser. Continues to be Emery’s best-performing central midfield player. Saviour.

Jacob Ramsey – 5/10

Such a joy to watch when he is in full flow. The way he drives forward with the ball, picking up nice pockets of space despite playing as an inverted wide-man. Becoming the perfect tactical foil and outlet for Unai Emery in recent weeks but was largely a peripheral figure when Aston Villa desperately needed him to provide a spark. Picked up a torrid score of 6.2/10 from SofaScore for his performance and Ramsey will be hoping this showing was just a meagre blip. We’ll give him 5.

Emi Buendia – 6/10

Another one of Villa’s better players in an average performance. Buendia is the one to provide Aston Villa with all the energy and spark in the final third and he proved that by registering two big chances created along with four key passes, as per SofaScore, providing the assist for Luiz’s equaliser. However, he failed to connect with Watkins as he so usually does.

Ollie Watkins – 4/10

Simply could not get into the game in his worst performances in an Aston Villa shirt in a long while. Failed to connect with his attacking teammates and proved a peripheral figure when many in the Fantasy Premier League sides expected him to keep up his stunning goalscoring form, registering just the one shot off target. Maybe he is allowed an off day.

Substitutes

Robin Olson (on for Martinez, 45′) – 5/10

Lucas Digne (on for Moreno, 66′) – 5/10

Calum Chambers (on for Young, 66) – 5/10

Bertrand Traore (on for Dendoncker, 66) – 5/10

In other Aston Villa news, we can exclusively reveal that Manchester United are set to sign this highly-rated Villa player.