Leon Bailey dismal, Ollie Watkins valiant – Aston Villa player ratings vs Manchester United
Aston Villa and Manchester United played out a goalless draw in one of the worst games in recent Premier League memory.
A virtual non-entity of a first half ended goalless with Morgan Rogers going closest early, while Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins had decent efforts after the break and Marcus Rashford was lucky to avoid a second yellow card.
Bruno Fernandes hit the bar from a free kick in another dreadful half, which was needlessly prolonged to replace the referee’s radio battery when both sides looked to have given up.
Here, Villa News rates the the Villans players out of 10 for their performances against Erik ten Hag’s side, with the help of SofaScore stats.
Emi Martinez – 7
Made the four saves he was required to make and somehow prevented 1.03 expected goals, but not called into a huge amount of action. Tipped a long-range Rashford effort over early in the second half.
Matty Cash – 7
Grew into the game as time went on. Sloppy in possession on the right to free Rashford for the first United threat. Provided a decent attacking outlet down the right in a game of few openings. Crucial intervention to cut out a late, late Manchester United break with his only interception.
Lucas Digne impressive in defence for Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa (off for Carlos ’11) – 6
Restored to his strongest central role the England international picked up an unfortunate early injury as he was nudged over by Hojlund while making a clearance. No time to have a real impact on the game but completed 100% of his 10 passes and won his only duel.
Pau Torres – 6
Somehow didn’t even have to do any defending as he didn’t record a tackle, interception, block or clearance. Comfortable first 45 until a mix up with Tielemans almost let the visitors in when trying to carry out of defence. Barely registered after the break either until he conceded possession (one of nine times) by letting a tame pass roll under his foot. Didn’t win either of his duels (0%) but completed 51 of 59 passes (86%).
Lucas Digne (off for Maatsen ’85) – 7
Very solid performance defensively to snuff out any potential danger down his flank as he wasn’t dribbled past once, but unable to affect the game going forward. Put in four tackles and made two interceptions but only one of his eight crosses was accurate (12.5%).
Youri Tielemans – 7
Decent work breaking up play and reasonably solid passing in a scrappy midfield, winning three of three arial duels (100%), four more on the ground, and made three tackles. Did almost caused a dangerous United break by tackling his own player before the break and tested Andre Onana with a trademark long-range strike after the interval. Did lose possession 22 times and commit two fouls however.
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins strain at Villa Park
Ross Barkley – 5
Lax defensively in the first half, but better on the ball as he looked to drive forward at times like Rogers. Didn’t really offer a great deal in the second period aside from one decent ball to play Bailey in down the right. Made two key passes and won half his eight duels (50%) but only completed 80% of his passes (35 of 44).
Leon Bailey (off for Duran ’62) – 3
A long way off his best game in an Aston Villa shirt. Skewed a volley off target in a threatening position, had his cross blocked when in a good position after half-time, and went missing for large stretches as there was precious little scope to run with the ball. Neither of his crosses found a target (0%), and he only made 19 passes in over an hour, completing 17 (89%), and only one of his three dribbles was a success (33%).
Morgan Rogers – 7
In a cagey opening half it felt like the spark was most likely to come through him as he drove forward with the ball, with success in two of three dribbles (66%). Drew a booking from Christian Eriksen immediately with a sharp turn and fired narrowly wide in a threatening start, but faded as the game went on and was short of his menacing best. Guilty of trying to overplay at times but clearly has a growing understanding with Watkins.
Jaden Philogene – 6
Went close with a swerving, long-range attempt and showed obvious quality on the ball with some combinations in tight areas but, as with Bailey, the attritional nature of the action didn’t suit him. The crucial late chance fell to him but he could only smash into Diogo Dalot’s back in added time with his only shot.
Jhon Duran unable to follow up Bayern Munich fireworks
Ollie Watkins – 8
Did everything he could to force something out of a dead game, chasing everything and battling manfully all over the pitch. Starved of any real service in the first half there was little goal threat even as he was busy trying to generate something running the channels and dropping deep. If he had been playing in midfield he would have been one of the stand-out performers. Smashed an ambitious effort narrowly over with one half-sight of goal after the break from one of two shots. Only had 25 touches and completed 11 of 13 passes (85%) but made a key pass, won five duels, and deserves credit for trying to drag something form a terrible game.
Substitutions
Diego Carlos (on for Konsa ’11) – 7
Fairly solid after his introduction while the play stayed in front of him, and a definite improvement from his slack display against Ipswich on 29 September, until he seemed to hurt himself as well towards the closing stages but stayed on. Made eight clearances and completed 92% of his passes (44 of 48), but lost both of his duels.
Jhon Duran (on for Bailey ’62) – 5
Based on his blockbuster start to the season the pedestrian match seemed to crying out for the Colombian but there was none of his magic here as he added very little, completing seven passes and one dribble with no shots.
Ian Maatsen (on for Digne ’85) – 7
Nearly added the late attacking incision the game desperately needed as he got forward late to put in a cross that somehow found its way through to Philogene with his one key pass.
In other Aston Villa news, alarm bells are ringing for Emery as a upcoming star is still in line to leave.
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