6/10 Lucas Digne wasteful, 9/10 John McGinn masterclass – Aston Villa player ratings v Manchester City
Aston Villa recorded their 14th home win in a row as they triumphed 1-0 over Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park on Thursday (6 December).
Leon Bailey grabbed the winner with a deflected strike in the 74th minute to send Aston Villa up to third in the Premier League table.
Villa were superior throughout against the lacklustre champions, who have now gone four Premier League games without a win for the first time in more than seven years.
Here is how Villa News rated the performance of each Aston Villa player during the game, with the help of SofaScore stats...
Emi Martinez – 8
Made two sensational saves from Erling Haaland in the first half and once again showed his undisputed class at this level.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Came up against an in-form Phil Foden as a right-back but stood up to the test with tremendous aplomb. Drove through the heart of City’s midfield with class and assurance as he looked to progress the ball up the pitch. Growing with every game at Villa Park. Won 100% of his duels and successfully completed 92% of his passes.
Diego Carlos – 8
A surprise starter for Aston Villa but justified Emery’s decision with a classy showing at the heart of the defence.
Pau Torres – 8
Had a great chance in the first half but saw his effort saved by the terrific Ederson when you would have thought the Spaniard would have bagged another goal. However, he was as good as he’s ever been in an Aston Villa shirt with a classy performance up against Erling Haaland.
Won 50% of his ground duels, and 100% of his aerial duels, completed 88% of his passes and four long balls in another stunning display, rewarded with a crucial clean sheet.
Lucas Digne – 6
Did his defensive work with great aplomb, winning six duels but was a bit wasteful going forward completing just 25% of his crosses when in such good positions to pick out a teammate. Expect more given his qualities.
John McGinn – 9
What a player and what a performance from McGinn who was everywhere against the Citizens. When you needed him defensively he was there, and when required in the final third, he was at the heart of everything.
Registered four key passes, won an incredible 13 of his duels and completed 100% of his dribbles in another masterclass from the Scot international.
Boubacar Kamara – 7
Kamara may not get the same spotlight as his midfield partners Luiz and McGinn but he was just as influential this evening with a masterful showing in defensive midfield. Won three of his duels and registered three key passes.
Douglas Luiz – 7
At his usual classy best in midfield for Aston Villa and we’ve certainly run out of superlatives for the Brazilian given his consistent displays. Registered four key passes, created one big chance, and completed four of his seven long balls and two of his three crosses. He was everywhere.
Youri Tielemans – 7
You now feel Tielemans is well and truly an Aston Villa player right now given his tough start to his career in the West Midlands and his display against the Premier League champions showed as much. Tremendous outlet on the ball with some sublime pieces of trickery and skill to influence Villa’s play.
Leon Bailey – 8
Had the freedom of Birmingham when he put through on goal by John McGinn in the first half but his strike was too easy for Ederson in the end. Given his tremendous recent form, you would have backed your mortgage on the Jamaican scoring that chance. However, apart from that he was electric.
Bagged the opener with a superb run and finish in a superb individual display. Registered two key passes, completed over 60% of his dribbles and won three of his ground duels.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Can count himself unlucky with his miss just before half-time but the England international certainly put in a strong shift for the Villans. Ran his socks off, won four duels, completed 100% of his dribbles and blocked three shots in his own box.
Substitutes
Moussa Diaby (on for Bailey 84′)
Jacob Ramsey (on for Tielemans 84′)
Alex Moreno (on for Digne 90′)
Jhon Duran (on for Watkins 90′)
In other Aston Villa, one forgotten player may be losing patience with Unai Emery as his bags could already be packed ahead of a January exit.