John McGinn shines, Emi Buendia anonymous – Aston Villa player ratings v Fulham
Aston Villa stretched their Premier League unbeaten run to ten games with a pragmatic 1-0 win over Fulham at Villa Park.
Tyrone Mings found the back of the net after 21 minutes with a perfectly-placed header in what was a totally dominant first-half performance, but which lacked many clear cut opportunities.
Fulham grew into the game in the second half and had a goal chalked off for offside with just ten minutes to play.
However, Unai Emery’s side held on for a massive three points that saw them leapfrog Spurs into fifth position in the Premier League with just five matches of their season remaining.
Here Villa News rated the Aston Villa players out of ten for their performances at Villa Park.
Emi Martinez – 6
Was kept extremely quiet in the first-half as Aston Villa dominated the large share of possession, but displayed his wide range of passing out to Young and Moreno on the respective flanks and managed to complete 41 of his 49 passes. [SofaScore] Was awarded a yellow card in the closing minutes of the match for time wasting, but was a dominant figure in a strong Villa backline.
Ashley Young – 7
Popped up with a whistling shot from a corner that was well blocked by a Fulham defender and showed a little more attacking ambition than is usually seen from the Villa veteran in the first-half. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul on Dan James. Defended diligently and was given a rousing applause by the Villa faithful when he was subbed off for Calum Chambers in the closing stages of that match. Managed to make two tackles and two clearances, but did lose possession a worrying 14 times.
Ezri Konsa – 8
Konsa has started to flourish alongside Mings in recent weeks, and was as solid as ever against Fulham. Limited the Fulham attack to scraps throughout the game, and even when the London club started to exert more dominance in the closing stages of the match, the Englishman was strong under pressure. Carlos Vinicius posed a different threat in the final 20 minutes of the match, but Konsa stuck to his task, making an impressive seven clearances throughout the night.
Tyrone Mings – 8
Mings is starting to ooze a confidence which has been lacking from his game over the past few years, dictating Villa’s passing sequences from the middle of Villa’s defence and the orchestrator of the team’s attacks. This was highlighted by the 68/78 completed passes at an 87% success rate. Was justly rewarded for his strong start by getting his name on the scoresheet with a perfectly-placed header from McGinn’s corner. Was almost caught out when playing Bobby Reed onside, but Lucas Digne was the man culpable of initially losing his man.
Alex Moreno – 6
Put his somewhat disappointing performance against Brentford behind him with a string of bursts into the final third down the left flank, completing three of his four crosses. However as the game progressed and Fulham grew more ambitious, the Spaniard was forced back into far more defensive work than he would have liked. Had his hands full with James, relying heavily on Ramsey dropping back and helping to defend at times, failing to make a single tackle or clearance. Was eventually subbed off for Digne after 75 minutes as Emery looked to shut up shop.
Leander Dendoncker – 7
As has become custom over the past two games, Dendoncker was a calm and composed figure in the middle of the park for Aston Villa, helping things tick over with a somewhat limited, but accurate, passing range. This was highlighted by the 30 successful passes he made from 38 attempts. The Belgian was strong in the tackle and also provides Emery with some much-needed height at both attacking and defensive set pieces, winning 100% of his aerial duels. Villa fans thought the absence of Kamara over the last month would be a bitter blow, but Dendoncker has slotted into the team with such ease.
Douglas Luiz – 8
The Brazilian spared his teams blushes in the second half when stopping a rapid Fulham counter-attack with a strong block on Dan James. Could have done better when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the Fulham box, but for the midfielder to curl his effort harmlessly over the bar. Continually led Villa’s midfield sequences with smart passes and touches in close quarters and successfully completed five out of his six long balls.
Jacob Ramsey – 6
After a couple of standout performances in the last fortnight, Ramsey was a little more absent at Villa Park on Tuesday night. However, the England Under-21 captain almost unleashed Watkins with a brilliant through-ball, but for the striker to be halted by some strong defending by Tim Ream. Made an impressive three key passes, but struggled to involve himself in Villa’s general play, successfully completing just 12 passes before being subbed for Traore.
John McGinn – 9
The Scotland international was the provider for Mings’ goal with a nicely-placed corner and was his usual dogged self in the midfield. After a lean patch earlier this season, McGinn seems to be growing into the captain’s armband more and more with every game. Continually used his body brilliantly to draw fouls and drive past defenders on the right side of midfield. Almost got his name on the scoresheet in the final few minutes when curling a low left-footed strike just wide of the post. Won 9 out of his 13 ground duels and managed to draw six fouls in a standout showing
Emi Buendia – 4
Despite Aston Villa dominating the first-half exchanges, Buendia failed to have his usual creative impact, failing to make a single key pass, cross or create and chances. Coming up against a strong Fulham side, the playmaker seemed to struggle a touch with the physicality of the game, losing possession of the ball 15 times and winning just 3 out of 16 ground duels. Cut a frustrated figure on a night where things just didn’t quite go his way.
Ollie Watkins – 7
The bang-in-form striker was unlucky not to earn Villa a penalty after being hacked down by Tosin in the early exchanges, but struggled to have the same impact as he did in his last home game against Newcastle, when he completely ran the show. Watkins was forever a willing runner in behind the Fulham back-line but was forced to drop deep far to often to pick up the ball at times as Fulham’s influence grew on the game. Only managed eight successful passes and lost possession on 12 occasions throughout the night.
Substitutes
Lucas Digne (on for Moreno, 76′) – 5
Bertrand Traore (on for Ramsey, 76′) – 6 – Was booked for a rough challenge in the dying minutes of the match. VAR checked the incident but a yellow was ruled as the correct decision.
Calum Chambers (On for Young, 85′) – N/A
In other Aston Villa news, this “outstanding” outfielder is expected to quit the club for good in the summer transfer window.