George Overhill

Sun 3 December 2023 16:02, UK

Aston Villa were well below bar as a stunning Emi Martinez display and a wonderful late Ollie Watkins rescued a point in a 2-2 draw away to Bournemouth.

Despite starting brightly the Villans went behind after just 10 minutes as Diego Carlos had a nightmare and allowed Antoine Semenyo to score, but a wonderful solo strike cutting in off the flank from Leon Bailey levelled matters 10 minutes later and Carlos had another narrowly ruled out by VAR immediately after.

More sloppy defending saw Dom Solanke put the hosts ahead again soon after the break as he turned Pau Torres with ease and wrong-footed Martinez, with the keeper having to make numerous other vital stops before Watkins’ superb stoppage-time header.

Here, Villa News rates the Aston Villa players out of 10 for their performances at the Vitality Stadium with stats from SofaScore.

Emi Martinez – 9 (Man of the Match)

Great when he had a chance but too often given none by his slack back line. Left completely exposed by Carlos’ error for the opening goal but made three important saves during a strong first half, none better than a point-blank stop to keep Solanke out. Ultimately stopped the striker scoring a hat-trick with a second crucial block after the break but couldn’t do much for the one he did score. Five total saves were so important.

Ezri Konsa (off for Cash ’74) – 7

Pick of a poor defence. Positionally struggled out wide but was very strong at close quarters as he won 100% of challenges in the air (four) and on the ground (11). Afforded Semenyo too much space repeatedly down the Aston Villa right during the opening 45 minutes in Bournemouth’s most likely avenue to threaten but produced a stunning last-ditch tackle to deny Justin Kluivert in first-half stoppage time.

Diego Carlos – 3

Miserable day. Almost entirely culpable for Semenyo’s opener as his slack pass was easily intercepted in one of too many occasions he lost possession one of 12 times before he jumped out of position and the Cherries scorer was simply found in the gap he had left. Nearly dropped his keeper in it again with a weak back-pass soon after during a shaky first half. Thought he’d made up for his error with his first Premier League goal but VAR ruled it out for offside.

Pau Torres – 5

Didn’t look especially composed but not exposed to the extent of his defensive teammates in the first half. Bypassed with far too much simplicity by Solanke just after the break and only made a single tackle all day.

Lucas Digne (off for Moreno ’74) – 5

Not great defensively and was the man penalised for being just beyond the last man at the free kick which Carlos thought he’d scored from. Conceded a needless corner that led to a Kluivert chance before the break to cap off an uncertain half. Lost possession frequently (13) and was wayward with the ball as he found targets with none of his six crosses or two long balls. More involved going forward after the half but not good enough.

Douglas Luiz – 7

Started off brilliantly with an all-action display, showing industrious work in midfield offensively and defensively and forced a good save with a strong long-range attempt early. Regressed as the game went on and should have scored in the dying seconds before the break to miss his only big chance. 91% of his 75 passes were completed but still gave the ball away 16 times as he was heavily involved (101 touches) but not at his very best.

Youri Tielemans – 6

Up and down display. Largely decent early with a nice range of passing on display in for the suspended Boubacar Kamara and followed Luiz’s lead with some excellent tracking back to put in challenges. Probably didn’t do enough to keep his place when the Frenchman is available as just 76% of his passes found their target and conceded possession 18 times, despite three interceptions and six tackles.

John McGinn (off for Duran ’64) – 6

Average performance but well short of his best with just 30 touches in the middle. Nothing sort of first half where he was fouled a few times but the play largely passed him by. Improved after the break and laid on a decent chance which Watkins couldn’t convert from a short corner. Completed 75% of his passes but lost possession eight times.

Leon Bailey (off for Diaby ’74) – 8

Excellent first half from just a few involvements but quieter second. Fantastic work cutting in off the right to fire Aston Villa level and looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball with 84% of 25 passes completed. Looked to have laid a goal on a plate for Luiz with a big chance created from the opposite flank but the shot was saved.

Nicolo Zaniolo (off for Ramsey ’46) – 4

Weak offering. Busy off the ball and closed down well to start but frustratingly ponderous in possession. Lacked end product as he missed with his one attempt on goal and failed with one dribble attempt. Picked up a needless booking just before the break as he increasingly struggled to get into the game. Won only 25% of his ground duels before the break (two) and lost possession 10 times.

Ollie Watkins – 7

Frustrating afternoon for 90 minutes-plus but came up big to steal a point as he contorted expertly to direct a Diaby cross home. Virtually anonymous in the first 45 minutes where he only had 15 touches and zero shots while winning only one aerial duel. Got into the game more after the half but struggled to find his rhythm until the goal with the second of just two attempts.

Substitutions

Jacob Ramsey (on for Zaniolo ’46) – 6

Slightly more effective than Zaniolo but couldn’t find a key spark.

Jhon Duran (on for McGinn ’64) – 7

Not greatly involved but so close to dragging Aston Villa level as he crashed a long-range effort off the outside of the post.

Alex Moreno (on for Digne ’74) – 6

Barely involved compared to Digne so didn’t make a major difference.

Matty Cash (on for Konsa ’74) – 5

Dropped after a poor display against Tottenham and didn’t improve much here as he managed to lose possession six times in just over a quarter of an hour.

Moussa Diaby (on for Bailey ’74) – 7

Hadn’t had the impact required as neither of his two dribble attempts were successful but then crucially found Watkins’ head to assist the equaliser.

In other Aston Villa news, an Emery mistake went unpunished as one of his players was branded a “coward” for what he did.