Jhon Duran to the rescue again – Aston Villa player ratings v Leicester City
Aston Villa recorded their second win of the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory against Leicester City on Saturday [31 August].
Amadou Onana opened the scoring with his second goal in three Premier League matches this season, converting the ball with the goal gaping after a well-worked free-kick routine caught out the Leicester defence.
Jhon Duran doubled the advantage only two minutes after replacing Ollie Watkins but Facundo Buonanotte halved the deficit inside the final 20 minutes as Villa held on to claim all three points.
Here’s how Villa News rated each player out of 10 at the King Power stadium, with all stats from SofaScore.
Aston Villa beat Leicester City 2-1
Emiliano Martinez – 6
Martinez had a quiet afternoon compared to his usual standards with two saves and -0.58 goals prevented against Leicester. The World Cup winner didn’t have much to do until Facundo Buonanotte pegged a goal back for the visitors. There wasn’t much Martinez could have done to prevent the goal in another solid performance for the Villains.
Lamare Bogarde – 6
It was a fairly routine Premier League debut for Bogarde, the Dutch defender replaced the injured Matty Cash in the starting lineup. He was dribbled past three times throughout the match and was beaten on his right side in the build-up for the Leicester goal. With three tackles and two clearances, it was a solid debut by the 20-year-old.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Konsa had little to do in the defence, his main contribution was nine clearances against Leicester as he kept Jamie Vardy and co at bay, staying as solid as ever throughout.
Pau Torres – 6
Torres won 60 per cent of his duels with two clearances and one interception as he was slightly more involved than his centre-back partner but held the line well to help his side record another Premier League win.
Lucas Digne – 7
The Frenchman was vital on either side of the pitch for Villa, he assisted Duran for the eventual winner but lost his header to Wilfred Ndidi which allowed Buonanotte to score and set up a nervous ending at Villa Park. Otherwise, Digne was defensively solid with 60 per cent ground duels won, five tackles, three clearances and two interceptions.
Leon Bailey [off for Jacob Ramsey 16′] – 5
Bailey went to ground holding his left hamstring just after the 15-minute mark and was replaced by Jacob Ramsey. Aston Villa supporters will be hoping it is nothing serious for the Jamaican who has started all three matches in the league for Emery.
Amadou Onana [off for Ross Barkley 62′] – 9
The Belgian received a soft yellow card early in the first half but was on hand again to open the scoring on 27 minutes for his second Villa goal in three matches since his move from Everton. With one key pass and a pass accuracy of 91 per cent, he bossed the midfield for the Villains and was rightfully brought off, not to risk a second yellow card.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Tielemans had an excellent outing against his former side and played a vital role in the opening goal with his free-kick. With a pass accuracy of 84 per cent with one key pass, 100 per cent dribble success rate, and 75 per cent ground duels success rate, the Belgian kept his side ticking against Leicester.
John McGinn – 6
McGinn has found himself as a makeshift winger this season and put in another solid performance in an unfamiliar position. The captain won 60 per cent of his duels and completed 72 per cent of his passes.
Jhon Duran the hero for Aston Villa again
Morgan Rogers – 6
Rogers tried his best to influence proceedings with one key pass leading to one big chance created but unfortunately failed to make a significant impact on the match. He lost possession 17 times and completed only 25 per cent of his four dribbles attempted.
Ollie Watkins [off for Jhon Duran 61′] – 5
It was another frustrating afternoon in front of goal for Watkins with two big chances missed and only one shot on target. He was denied by Mads Hermansen in the early stages to give Villa the lead but did assist Onana for the opener. In what Stephen Warnock described as a “perfect” free-kick routine.
Substitutes:
Jacob Ramsey [off for Ian Maatsen] – 5
Ramsey was introduced earlier than expected for the injured Bailey and looked lively with two key passes, one shot on target, and completed all three of his dribbles. He looked disappointed with his substitution for Maatsen with Emery looking for defensively solidity in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Jhon Duran – 8
The 20-year-old was the hero again for Villa, making an instant impact off the bench to score the eventual winner two minutes after coming on. Duran has put the transfer speculation behind him and is proving to be a serious threat to Watkins with two goals already this season.
Ross Barkley – 6
Barkley did the job in the Villa midfield after replacing Onana, the 30-year-old completed 100 per cent of his passes including one key pass, and helped his side maintain control in the middle of the park on the way to their second Premier League win this season.
Ian Maatsen – N/A
Kosta Nedeljkovic – N/A
In other Aston Villa news, Villa update as last-gasp transfer agreed for Giovani Lo Celso.
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