Aston Villa player ratings v Ajax – Morgan Rogers let off in 3/10 display, Moussa Diaby stars
Aston Villa cruised into the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League with a 4-0 victory over Ajax on Thursday (14 March).
The sides were locked at 0-0 following last week’s first leg in Amsterdam, but there was a clear gulf between the sides at Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins put Villa ahead before hobbling off, while Leon Bailey, Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby netted after Sivert Mannsverk was sent off.
Villa News rates each player out of 10 for their performance, using data provided by WhoScored and Sofascore.
Emi Martinez – 6
Had just one save to make and even that was straightforward. Stayed alert throughout, though, in what was a welcome clean sheet on the back of the 4-0 loss to Tottenham.
Matty Cash – 7
The best of Villa’s defenders as he contributed to a clean sheet, most notably saving an effort off the line, and also got forward. Assured on the ball, as highlighted by his 43 accurate passes out of 46 attempted.
Diego Carlos – 7
Another who hobbled off the field, having earlier made three clearances and one interception. Not the busiest of evenings, but he still did what was required to keep Ajax at bay.
Pau Torres – 6
Won both of his two ground duels and did not give Ajax’s attacker much joy at all. Only blemish is that he lost possession nine times, which may have been punished against better opponents.
Alex Moreno – 6
Toiled for most of the first half but a solid performance on the whole. Got stuck in with seven attempted duels, three of which he won.
Leon Bailey – 8
Was a threat throughout and deserved his goal, which was very nicely taken. Generated an xG (expected goals) return of just 0.15, but did not give Ajax’s full-backs a moment to breathe. Also successful from two of his three attempted dribbles.
Douglas Luiz – 7
Had 38 touches of the ball as Villa took control of proceedings. Created four chances for team-mates and also drifted out wide to put three crosses into the box, two of which found a player in claret and blue.
John McGinn – 6
Much more like his usual self after losing his head against Spurs last weekend. Completed 88 per cent of his 32 passes and touched the ball 51 times as he looked to get things ticking from deep. Caught the eye with his passing range, with all three long passes finding a team-mate.
Morgan Rogers – 3
Was a threat in the first half, in his defence, and completed all seven of his passes for a 100-per-cent return, but he was a little fortunate not to get sent off. The yellow card he was given meant Unai Emery had to haul him off at the interval. Failed to find the target from his solitary attempt, giving him a zero per cent success rate. Better times are ahead, you suspect.
Moussa Diaby – 8 (star man)
A brilliant display from Diaby, even more so after Watkins hobbles off. Fashioned chances for himself and belted him Villa’s fourth. Not only did he score, he created two key chances and also completed 78 per cent of his 27 passes in a great attacking performance.
Ollie Watkins – 6
Picked up an injury and yet still went on to score with a brilliant header with that his only attempt of the game before hobbling off. Emery will now be sweating over the striker’s fitness after he made way.
SUBS
Jhon Duran (on for Ollie Watkins 33′) – 8
Another attacking player who really stepped up. Found the back of the net and offered hope that Villa can cope without Watkins in the short term should the forward be ruled out for any length of time.
Youri Tielemans (on for Morgan Rogers 46′) – 7
Villa toiled for a large part of the first half but really stepped things up in the second, with Tielemans playing a part in that with his one key pass.
Clement Lenglet (on for Diego Carlos 74′) – N/A
Tim Iroegbunam (on for Leon Bailey 74′) – N/A
Omari Kellyman (on for Douglas Luiz 83′) – N/A
In other Aston Villa news, Don Goodman has shared a new top-four verdict after events last weekend.
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