Jonty Banks

Sun 28 May 2023 18:31, UK

Aston Villa confirmed a spot in the Europa Conference League for next season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton at Villa Park (28 May).

Unai Emery’s side got off to a dream start when Douglas Luiz slotted home from Ramsey’s low cross when left unmarked on the edge of the Brighton penalty box.

Ollie Watkins doubled Villa’s lead just before the 30-minute mark following some strong play from John McGinn and Ramsey, before Deniz Undav scored just before the half-time break.

Villa held on for all three points despite coming under late pressure to confirm 7th place in the Premier League.

Here Villa News rates the players out of ten for their performances at Villa Park.

Emi Martinez – 7

Couldn’t have done too much for the Seagulls’ opener, but made a simply imperative one on one stop just before the half-time whistle with a strong outstretched leg. Despite making four impressive saves, the Argentine’s distribution was a little suspect at times, completing just four of his 19 long balls. [SofaScore]

Matty Cash – 4

Was left wanting for Brighton’s disallowed opener, as Ensico turned him inside and out before whipping a ball into the bock for Undav to poke home. The Polish international was given a yellow card for a cynical foul and, in some eyes, may have been lucky not to be given his marching orders after charging into the back of a Brighton attacker in an aerial challenge. Was given the run around by both Julio Ensico and Kauro Mitoma on the wing and, at times, looked a little helpless. Cash managed only to make one tackle and one interception while failing to deliver a single cross at the other end. Not the right-back’s best day at the office.

Ezri Konsa – 6

The Englishman was the better of Villa’s two centre-backs but still found himself in trouble at numerous points. Emery had obviously told his back-line to play a high line, and at times, Brighton managed to pick this apart alarmingly easily. Didn’t manage to make a single tackle or clearance and only managed to complete 84% of his passes (31/37), which is down on his usual standards.

Tyrone Mings – 5

Was caught napping for the Brighton equaliser, which was subsequently disallowed for offside, with a distinct lack of communication between Emi Martinez and the centre-back. Alongside, Konsa, the Englishman was caught out numerous more times as the game went on, with Brighton posing a real threat on the counter-attack. Lost possession on six occasions and failed to make a single tackle during the match.

Lucas Digne – 7

The Frenchman was never going to live up to the attacking output of Alex Moreno, but considering the stakes, he delivered a strong and dependable performance. He used the ball smartly when called into action and wasn’t beaten one on one at all in defence. Digne’s more defensive positioning allowed Cash to bomb forward on the other flank. Won 100% of his ground duels (2/2) as well as all three of his aerial duels in a strong defensive display. Came inches away from scoring with a late free-kick that went whiskers wide.

Boubacar Kamara – 8

Kamara continued his excellent return from injury and oozed class in the midfield alongside Luiz. The Frenchman chipped in with numerous tackles and interceptions to protect the back four behind him. Was an absolute duel-winning machine in the middle of the park, coming out on top in 7/11 occasions. Also used the ball extremely well, completing 96% of his passes (26/27) despite coming under a heavy Brighton press at times.

Douglas Luiz – 7

Gave Aston Villa the dream start with a goal after just nine minutes, slotting home a ball from Ramsey with a sweet first-time strike. Came close to netting a trademark corner, but Steele managed to just about get a fingertip to the cross. Was a little under par in possession of the ball, losing the ball on 12 occasions, but made up for it in the final third, where the Brazilian hit the woodwork, hit one shot on target and two further strikes off goal.

John McGinn – 7

McGinn was his tireless self against Brighton, giving his all for the Villa cause as has become custom over the last few years, engaging in 13 ground duels – six of which he was successful in. Was dogged and determined to win the ball, which eventually led to Watkins’ goal, snapping into a challenge and allowing Luiz to release Ramsey through on goal. Chipped in with three interceptions and two tackles as Villa came under the cosh in the closing stages.

Jacob Ramsey – 9

Set up Luiz’s goal with a sublime piece of play, drawing the defender in before picking his head up and finding Luiz with a perfect pass. Doubled his goal-contribution tally as he beat Steele to the ball to tee up Watkins to poke home. Despite some brilliant pieces of play down the left flank, Ramsey will have been gutted at missing a gilt-edged chance to send Villa 3-1 up, hitting the ball over the bar from a mere five yards out. Despite the miss, Ramsey was quite simply sublime all afternoon long, completing all four of his dribble attempts, contributing three key passes and picking up two assists.

Leon Bailey – 5

Came inches away from giving Aston Villa the lead after just five minutes when he slammed a strike into the crossbar. Popped up in some useful spaces in Villa’s dominant opening half an hour, but after that point, the Jamaican’s influence was limited. Only managed to complete 5 of his 12 passes, but still managed to complete 75% of his dribbles (3/4) and deliver two key passes.

Ollie Watkins – 7

Although he didn’t receive the service he would have wanted in the first half, Watkins was in the right place at the right time to poke home Villa’s second goal of the afternoon. Despite this strike, the Englishman was once again left isolated for large chunks of the game, highlighted by the fact he only completed eight passes throughout the game. The striker had two shots on goal and was also a physical presence, winning 10 of his total 16 duels.

Substitutes

Emi Buendia – (On for Leon Bailey, 68′ ) – 6

In other Aston Villa news, one academy graduate has picked up an injury which could derail his pre-season plans.