Jonty Banks

Sat 6 May 2023 17:07, UK

Aston Villa were narrowly edged out by West Midlands rivals Wolves as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday (6 May).

Villa fell behind after just ten minutes when Toti wriggled clear of his marker to powerfully head home beyond Emi Martinez.

Despite great chances falling for the likes of Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings, Unai Emery’s side couldn’t quite put the final piece in the jigsaw in a strong performance that unfortunately lacked any final product.

Here Villa News rates the players out of ten for their performances in the second consecutive Premier League defeat.

Emi Martinez – 7

The Argentine couldn’t do much about the opening goal but made a cracking stop to deny Costa in the second half, closing down the open space well and limiting the angle the Brazilian could shoot from. After a slack game in possession against Manchester United, Martinez returned to his usual self, successfully completing two out of his three long balls and recording a 93% pass success rate (26/28). [Sofascore]

Ashley Young – 5

Struggled to find the right balance of attack and defence coming up against Neto, with the Wolves forward looking dangerous on the counter and getting in behind on several occasions. Came very close to equalising from a slick set-piece routine, but sent his shot curling just wide of the post. Looked a little leggy as the game progressed and was rightfully subbed for Carlos just after the hour mark. Still managed to win two out of his three ground duels and found a teammate with 33 of his 38 attempted passes at an 87% success rate.

Ezri Konsa – 6

The Englishman couldn’t quite match his brilliant performances from recent weeks, with Wolves creating far too many chances for Emery’s liking. Let Costa slip through the backline just after the restart in a slack piece of defending, which almost resulted in a second goal. Neto turned him inside and out on one particular attack after he was shifted to right-back when Carlos came on. Despite his struggles on the counter, Konsa still managed to record an impressive 80% aerial duel success rate (4/5) and win four out of his eight ground duels.

Tyrone Mings – 7

Villa’s high line once again looked a little susceptible as it did against Manchester United, but on a few occasions Mings used his pace to great effect to track back and cover counter-attacks, making two clearances and three interceptions. Watkins’ great chance just before the half-time break was due to Mings stepping out of defence with the ball and threading it through to Ramsey. Had a tasty rivalry with Costa throughout the afternoon and probably edged the personal bout. Fluffed a huge chance when volleying over from six yards out – a chance that had a 0.41 xG on it.

Álex Moreno – 4

In a week in which the Spaniard attracted interest from Premier League duo Manchester City and Chelsea, Moreno was found wanting a little bit defensively. The 29-year-old was often sucked out of position by Wolves, which opened up space behind him to counter. Villa’s left flank was obviously targeted by the West Midlands rivals, with the corner resulting in the goal coming down his side and Nunes almost finding Costa for a second on the right wing. Moreno was dribbled past two times, won just one of his four aerial duels and only completed 1/5 crosses. An off day for the January recruit.

Douglas Luiz – 5

Struggled to assert his usual dominance on the game in the first half, losing possession of the ball in nine occasions, as well as winning just one of his six duels at a 16% success rate. Without a defensive-minded midfielder such as Boubacar Kamara or Leander Dendoncker alongside him, the Brazilian looked a little lost at times, unsure whether to get forward and create or sit back and cover the defence. His final ball, which is usually inch-perfect, was lacking today, failing to find a teammate with any of his four crosses.

John McGinn – 6

Was fielded in central midfield for the first time in over a month and was tasked with breaking down Wolves’ midfield with his high-energy and aggressive style of play. Despite falling behind early, McGinn never gave up on the cause in a battling performance, completing three tackles and one clearance. The midfielder was often caught out in transition, however, being dribbled past on four occasion. A performance that Emery would have appreciated from the Scot, but one that lacked any final product.

Jacob Ramsey – 7

Ramsey was the man culpable for Wolves’ opener, letting Toti wriggle clear of his grasps far too easily to powerfully head home. Despite this, the England Under-21 international was often Villa’s driving force in attack, carrying the ball powerfully through the lines and providing an impressive two key passes. Could have involved himself in the matches general play, making just 15 passes over 90 minutes.

Emi Buendia – 8

The diminutive Argentine was at his buzzing best during the West Midlands derby, popping up in tight areas of space, drawing in Wolves players in and generally making himself a nuisance to defend against. Drew José Sá into a stunning one-handed stop which was otherwise destined for the bottom corner, after he caught a shot perfectly from within the box. Made two key passes, and successfully completed all four of his attempted dribbles. Showed twinkle-toes on another occasion, swivelling on a sixpence to beat Kilman, before sending in a dangerous cross which Watkins came close to converting. Somewhat surprisingly won seven of his nine ground duels in what was a stunning performance from the playmaker.

Bertrand Traore – 3

Was brought into the team to pair Watkins in a front two, with Leon Bailey still not deemed fit enough to start. Played extremely wide on the left, hugging the touchline and trying to draw Wolves out of their tight and compact formation, but this just resulted in the 27-year-old being isolated and ineffective. After an extremely poor opening 45 minutes, Traore was given the axe by Emery, with Bailey coming on in his place. Failed to make a single key pass or successful cross and recorded an expected assists total (xA) of just 0.03.

Ollie Watkins – 5

Watkins was worryingly isolated in attack even though Villa dominated large spells of possession, making just nine successful passes all game long. Despite this, the Englishman had a golden opportunity to level proceedings just before the break, with Ramsey’s cross begging to be headed home, but Watkins’ effort instead going straight into the body of Sa. Was well marshalled by Wolves’ defence and failed to complete a single dribble or cross. A day to forget for Watkins.

Substitutes

Leon Bailey – (On for Traore, 45′) – 6

Diego Carlos – (On for Young, 64′) – 6

Jhon Duran – (On for Buendia, 80′) – N/A

Lucas Digne – (On for Moreno, 85′) – N/A

Boubacar Kamara – (On for Luiz, 85′) – N/A

In other Aston Villa news, one bargain target can save the club millions for investment elsewhere in the squad and still have a major impact.