John McGinn the hero as Ezri Konsa struggles – Aston Villa player ratings vs Zrinjski Mostar
Aston Villa were frustrated for so long by Zrinjski Mostar but John McGinn came up with a vital goal in added time to win 1-0 and get the European campaign underway.
A poor first half went by with few clear-cut chances for the Villans, while Emi Martinez kept the threatening visitors out with a vital save, and Unai Emery responded by making a triple-change at the break.
Aston Villa were awarded a penalty for a handball as their performance improved but a VAR review saw it rescinded as a scruffy game saw the home side strain without anyone looking their best, as Marko Maric was key in goal for the visitors before McGinn nodded home Matty Cash’s cross at the death.
Here Villa News rates the players out of 10 for their performances in the Europa Conference League clash.
Emi Martinez – 7
So important as usual. Not required for long stretches and only had to make one save but a crucial save it was inside the first 15 minutes to keep the scoreline goalless from the most clear cut chance of the game when the opener looked inevitable. Still alert late on and ultimately was the difference between a frustrating goalless draw and a worrying 1-0 defeat.
Ezri Konsa – 3
Clearly being targeted in the unfamiliar right-back role early but he made it far too easy as the visitors streamed into acres of space down the left with regularity. Perhaps unsurprisingly doesn’t look anywhere near as comfortable when shifted from his usual central spot and stats didn’t tell the whole story as he was often nowhere near the play down that flank. Won just 40% of his aerial duels and lost possession seven times. Improved after the shift to a back three.
Diego Carlos (off for Traore ’82) – 6
Better offensively than defensively as he became a threat in the opposition box. Wasted a golden opportunity to head his side in front just after the break but miscued his attempt over the bar and had another one saved soon after. Good to get minutes for him after so long out injured but won none of his ground duels and only 50% aerially while committing three fouls.
Clement Lenglet – 7
Much-improved defensively from his previous start in this competition when some of his teammates at the back were struggling and completed 96% of his passes, but still far from unbeatable as he last 60% of his duels on the ground.
Lucas Digne (off for Cash ’46) – 5
Did some important work covering for a back line that looked unusually slack in the first half with a key interception but also lost possession 15 times in a single half and only one of his seven crosses were accurate to sum up a disjointed first half.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Has made clear his frustration at not getting starts in the Premier League but didn’t make an especially strong case to change that for much of the game as only one of his six crosses found their target. Improved as the second half wore on without being able to make a telling difference, but showed more than he has in an Aston Villa shirt so far and was more accurate as a long passer with 75% finding their man.
Leander Dendoncker (off for Luiz ’46) – 5
The game largely passed him by in a frustrating first half. Didn’t do anything terribly wrong and completed 30 of his 31 passes, but didn’t make a single tackle in a game where the visitors were a threat, and didn’t look like generating anything going forward.
John McGinn – 8 – Man of the Match
Typically tenacious in the centre of midfield early but faded from prominence as the game wore on. Just one of his three dribbles were successful and only 50% long balls found their target. But directed the onslaught to the very end and ultimately made the difference himself with a vital captain’s goal.
Leon Bailey – 7
Up and down display. Looked a threat on the ball and his quick feet were more than the visitors to live with at times and eased concerns over his hamstring injury, but struggled for space. Forced to play a scrappier game that suits him as he won plenty of duels but also lost possession 20 times.
Nicolo Zaniolo – 7
Good start but his influence waned after half time. The most dynamic of the Aston Villa players in the first half and was unlucky not to open the scoring with a spectacular bicycle kick before the break. Could have been given a late penalty as his shirt was pulled when driving into the box, but the referee ignored it.
Jhon Duran – 6
Perhaps unlucky to be removed as he had shown some intent but was always at risk when Emery has the in-form Watkins at his disposal. Of his two shots one went off target and one was blocked in a congested first half, but he was lively on the ball as he was successful with four of his five dribbles.
Substitutions
Ollie Watkins (on for Duran ’46) – 6
Thought he’d won a penalty when his header was blocked and should have had an assist for Carlos with his one accurate cross, but after such a strong recent scoring record it wasn’t his best game.
Matty Cash (on for Digne ’46) – 7
Provided more thrust down the right, running at his opposite number and putting balls into the box. Provided the key late assist for his captain.
Douglas Luiz (on for Dendoncker ’46) – 7
Provided some decent supporting work as Aston Villa went on search of a crucial goal, but couldn’t make the telling impact.
Bertand Traore (on for Carlos ’82) – N/A
In other Aston Villa news, a BBC pundit is desperate for the club to avoid a “real problem” with a key man that money can’t buy.