Amadou Onana has a stormer, 3/10 player disappoints – Aston Villa player ratings v West Ham
Aston Villa started their Premier League campaign on a winning note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against West Ham United.
Amadou Onana headed home just four minutes into his debut at the London Stadium from Youri Tielemans’ delivery, as Unai Emery’s side were fully in control in the opening half-hour.
However, Matty Cash was perhaps unfairly punished for an alleged foul in the box on Tomas Soucek later in the half, as Lucas Paqueta converted the penalty to equalise.
Jhon Duran – heavily linked with West Ham in this window – was introduced on the hour mark and provided the crucial impact, firing home the winner.
Duran, Ian Maatsen and Jacob Ramsey – a trio brought on by Emery in the second half – all played a huge part in the decisive goal in a masterstroke from the head coach.
Here’s how Villa News rated each player out of 10 on Saturday (17 August) at the London Stadium, with all stats from Fotmob.
Amadou Onana with debut goal for Aston Villa
Emiliano Martinez – 6
No chance for the penalty, good save to stop Emerson putting West Ham in front, good distribution with an 81 per cent pass accuracy, and 67 per cent with seven of his 11 long passes finding a teammate.
Matty Cash (off for Kosta Nedeljkovic 82′) – 4
Unlucky to be penalised for penalty, tough time against Kudus in second half as he was dragged around his own half of the field. Did make 11 defensive actions, before sustaining a knock.
Ezri Konsa – 8
Blocked Soucek’s header near the goal-line in the dying embers. Kept it tight at the back, sprayed the ball out well with an excellent pass accuracy of 93 per cent. Won all four of his defensive duels, and complements Torres very well.
Pau Torres – 7
Confident on the ball as he shows himself again to be a real Emery-type player. Contributed in attack during a dominant first half, kept it tight when West Ham got on top after the break.
Lucas Digne (off for Ian Maatsen 74′) – 6
Hard-working, dealt with Soucek in the air, tried to get forward. Won 62.5 per cent of his total duels, but succeeded with just 20 per cent of his crosses as his end product wavered.
Jhon Duran makes crucial impact from Aston Villa bench
Amadou Onana – 8
Great header for his debut goal and controlled much of the midfield action, particularly in the first half when no West Ham player could get near him. Remained dominant but a little less so after the interval, and did lose Ings for a late West Ham header. But a 97 per cent pass accuracy kept Villa in crucial possession.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Pinpoint cross from a corner delivery for Onana’s goal, won both of his important tackles in the contest and enjoyed 63 touches of the ball in the middle of the park. A busy and effective player who suits Emery’s pragmatic tactics down to the ground.
John McGinn (off for Jacob Ramsey) – 5
Went close with shot just wide that would have been 2-0, won 67 per cent of his ground duels, but faded in and out in a game playing off the left-hand side.
Leon Bailey (off for Jaden Philogene 74′) – 6
Hit the post after rounding Areola when on another day he scores. He attempted to get at the West Ham defence as much as possible to mixed effect. Won 50 per cent of his duels and had a pass accuracy of 58 per cent as he tried things that did not always come off.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Had one run and shot on target and created a counter-attack but saw his effort scrambled behind. Emery continues to insist on using him centrally rather than wide – whether this will be longer-term is uncertain.
Ollie Watkins (off for Jhon Duran 62′) – 3
Only 16 touches during the hour he was on the field, and just two in the West Ham box as he struggled for involvement. Poor day individually, but there will come far better days for the England man.
Substitutes
Jhon Duran (on for Ollie Watkins 62′) – 7
Scored the crucial goal with 12 minutes to go. Big chance midway through the second half after coming on which he put wide, but made amends with a clinical finish later on. An almost apologetic celebration to the travelling Villa fans.
Jacob Ramsey (on for John McGinn 62′) – 7
Tidy assist for Duran’s goal in a triple-pronged impact from the bench. Was in a good position for a square ball for Duran’s missed chance, too.
Ian Maatsen (on for Lucas Digne 74′) – 7
Played a neat part in Duran’s vital goal with a nice touch down to Ramsey. Another excellent impact off the bench, enjoyed plenty of space down the left. Won all three of his duels on the deck defensively, too.
Jaden Philogene (on for Leon Bailey 74′) – 5
Came on down the right-hand side and will get used to the pace of the Premier League, but had little involvement late on as most of Villa’s attacking output came down the left after his introduction.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (on for Matty Cash 82′) – 5
Had an uncertain moment with Summerville before Ings’ late header, but did recover to put one behind against Summerville in stoppage time.
In other Aston Villa news, it could be one in and one out in attack for Unai Emery’s men.
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