Aston Villa player ratings v Lille: Diego Carlos struggles with 4/10, 9/10 John McGinn shines
Aston Villa managed to take a lead into the second leg of their Europa Conference League clash with Lille as they won 2-1 at Villa Park.
Excellent goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn gave Unai Emery’s side the lead before their advantage was halved by Bafode Diakite’s late strike to leave the tie firmly in the balance after 90 minutes.
Ultimately, the win leaves the Villans in the driving seat ahead of the second leg in Lille, but they will know that they could have and should have been leaving Villa Park with a clean sheet and one foot in the semi-finals.
Villa News have rated the players out of 10;
Emi Martinez – 9
Villa’s most important player on the night with some incredible saves. The 31-year-old made four stops in the first half to deny an xG of 1.32 in the opening 45 minutes. Completed 92 per cent of his passes in the contest as well, according to Fotmob. Villa only took a lead into the second leg because of the Argentine.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Konsa once again had to start at right-back as Matty Cash continues to make his way back from injury and the 26-year-old barely put a foot wrong in and out of possession. The 26-year-old won 100 per cent of his eight ground duels and won more tackles than any other player on either side.
Diego Carlos – 4
The Brazilian had a couple of shaky moments in the first half as the away side showed their attacking capability. Completed 96 per cent of his 36 attempted passes but didn’t enter a single ground duel or challenge in the 90 minutes. Was given a huge let-off after he appeared to play Gabriel Gudmundsson onside only for VAR to intervene but then lost his man late on for the goal.
Pau Torres – 6
As he has been throughout the season, the 27-year-old was incredibly consistent at the heart of the backline and was a key part of the Villans’ high line. Won his only duel in the game and completed 81 per cent of his passes. Would have liked to have been stronger in the tackle, but did what he had to do.
Lucas Digne – 7
Kept his place in the starting XI following the draw with Brentford last time out and justified his selection as he won 75 per cent of his four ground duels and 100 per cent of his attempted tackles. Didn’t have a huge influence going forward as he didn’t attempt or complete a single cross but made a crucial block to deny the away side. His defensive solidity was so important to the home side.
Youri Tielemans – 5
The Belgian started alongside Douglas Luiz in a deeper midfield role because of the injuries in Emery’s squad and struggled to really get stuck in that position. Tielemans only won 29 per cent of his ground duels and found a teammate with 33 per cent of his attempted crosses. By no means a terrible display, but the 26-year-old is capable of so much more.
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Douglas Luiz – 6
So often the Brazilian is the start of the show, but he actually didn’t have too big an impact as he kept things simple at Villa Park. Completed 93 per cent of his passes and even managed to carve out a couple of goal-scoring chances. Only won 38 per cent of his ground duels however and will likely need to be slightly stronger away from home in the second leg.
Leon Bailey – 7
It wasn’t the winger’s best performance, but he still managed to have an impact when it mattered. Completed 88 per cent of his passes and picked up the crucial assist for McGinn’s goal. Only won 40 per cent of his duels in the game as he was slightly sloppy defensively.
John McGinn – 9
Deployed in the advanced midfield role ahead of Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz and justified his selection with an excellent goal and assist. The Scotsman completed 94 per cent of his 11 attempted passes and created more chances than any other player on either side. His wonder goal came from an xG of only 0.03 as he produced a moment of magic. When he’s like that, he is undroppable.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Preferred by Emery ahead of Leon Bailey and despite not seeing much of the ball, the 21-year-old managed to carry an attacking threat. Laid on one goal-scoring chance for his teammates as he completed 77 per cent of his 13 attempted passes. Looked stronger defensively as well as he won 60 per cent of his duels.
Ollie Watkins – 8
The Villa goal machine missed a couple of early chances but nodded in well to break the deadlock. Only had 28 touches in the game but managed to score a goal and lay on three goalscoring chances for his teammates. There are few strikers or players in better form than the 28-year-old this season.
Substitutes
Nicolo Zaniolo – 6
Alex Moreno – 6
Moussa Diaby – 6
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has made a brand new admission about Wakins’ future ahead of the summer transfer window
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