4/10 Moussa Diaby stinks again, 8/10 Douglas Luiz shines – Aston Villa player ratings v Zrinjski Mostar
Aston Villa ensured top spot in Group E and a last 16 place in the Europa Conference League group after a 1-1 draw against Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday evening in Bosnia (14 December).
Forward Nicolo Zaniolo grabbed his first goal for the club after he was brilliantly found in the box by substitute John McGinn mid-way through the second half.
The Villans were pegged back just before the final whistle when Matija Malekinusic brilliantly found the top corner with a well-taken strike.
However, Aston Villa secured their last 16 place finishing their group stage journey with four wins and a draw, finishing a point above Legia Warsaw.
Here is how Villa News rated the performance of each Aston Villa player during the game, with the help of SofaScore stats...
Filip Marschall – 6
The 20-year-old shot-stopper came into the team because of Robin Olsen’s absence and produced a mixed showing.
Completed 100% of his run-outs, and may have gotten hand tips from the Argentinian number one. Was incredibly fortunate in the second half when he kicked the ball up against his defender before bouncing over the crossbar and was nearly closed down while trying to play out from the back.
Debut nerves, of course. Could do nothing about Zrinjski’s deflected equaliser.
Matty Cash – 6
Cash has seen his minutes as an Aston Villa regular plummet in recent weeks with Emery making the decision to deploy Ezri Konsa as a part right-back/wide centre-back – a decision which has proved masterful after wins against Arsenal and City.
The Zrinjski tie was a game which the Pole desperately needed to impress and he did, proving the away team’s most influential attacking outlet along with Alex Moreno on the opposite flank.
Won 66% of his ground duels, and 100% of his aerial duels whilst completing 92% of his passes.
Ezri Konsa – 6
A quiet evening for the Englishman but when Villa needed him to be solid and dogged to break up the Zrinjski attack, he duly delivered, registering three clearances and sweeping up loose balls when needed.
Pau Torres – 6
Like his defensive partner, Torres really did not need to do much except build-up play from the back and so far this season, he’s proven Aston Villa’s most brilliant component in the role. Completed 91% of his passes and three of his long balls but could do nothing about Zrinjski’s equaliser.
Alex Moreno – 5
A big week for the Spaniard ahead with Lucas Digne suspended for the weekend against Brentford and he was a shock starter given the quick turnaround but looked fairly comfortable at left-back.
Had a crucial moment early in the second half after being put through by Ramsey, and had a great chance to find Moussa Diaby who was rushing in the box for a tap-in but his cross was unusually poor when it looked so easy. Failed with all three of his crosses, lost possession seven times and was dribbled past once.
Taken off before the hour mark for Digne. Must improve against Brentford.
Douglas Luiz – 8
Will be sorely missed against Brentford on Sunday and that was shown through another influential and comfortable showing at the heart of the midfield, completing 90% of his passes, 100% of his long balls, won 100% of his aerial duels. Also touched the ball over 100 times too. Who can replace adequately on Sunday?
Man of the Match again.
Leander Dendoncker – 7
A rare start for the Belgian but looked fairly comfortable alongside Luiz in midfield, completing 93% of his passes, registered one key pass, completed 100% of his long balls and 66% of his aerial duels. Emery will be pleased.
Jacob Ramsey – 5
His first start in a while for the young Englishman and it showed as he rarely did enough to stake a claim in the Aston Villa team. Showed some flashes of his excellent technical qualities but couldn’t go the extra mile.
Registered one key pass, won one of his three dribbles and won four of his seven ground duels.
Nicolo Zaniolo – 7
The Italian has struggled for all of his relatively short career at Villa Park hence his limited minutes this past month but he was certainly much improved in Bosnia as he bagged his first goal for the club and impressed.
Moussa Diaby – 4
Poor once again from the Frenchman as he failed to show up for Aston Villa despite the win. It’s no wonder why Emery is now making the easy decision to axe him for Leon Bailey over the past month. Registered no key pass on the night, no shot on goal at all, and won 50% of his dribbles before being dragged off for Tommy O’Reilly to make his senior debut.
Stinker.
Jhon Duran – 5
Failed to take his chance in Bosnia but none of that was down to him as he was rarely given any service. As always he ran his socks off whilst also registering two shots on target and completing 50% of his dribbles and won 50% of his ground duels.
Substitutes
Digne (on for Moreno 57′)
John McGinn (on for Ramsey 57′) – made the crucial difference after coming on with a stunning cross for Zaniolo to bag his first goal for Aston Villa – 7
Calum Chambers (on for Torres 69′) – 5
Diego Carlos (on for Cash 69′) – 5
Tommy O’Reily (on for Diaby 78′) – N/A
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.