Diego Carlos 2/10 shambles, Duran excellent – Aston Villa player ratings so far this season
Aston Villa have made a bright start to the season as Unai Emery continues to build something special in the West Midlands.
Villa have lost just once this season, winning seven of their first 10 matches in all competitions.
Emery’s side currently sit fifth in the Premier League and have six points from their first two UEFA Champions League matches, having secured a monumental 1-0 win over Bayern Munich at Villa Park (2 October).
As a result, most of the Villa players have earned high ratings. However, there are some within the squad who Emery won’t be best pleased with, despite the club’s bright start.
Villa News have rated the players out of 10:
Emiliano Martínez – 7/10
Despite a few shaky moments and some controversy away from Villa, Martínez has been solid this season, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers.
Joe Gauci – N/A
The 24-year-old has made just one appearance this term, deputising for Martínez in the 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park in the third round of the Carabao Cup (24 September).
Pau Torres – 7/10
Torres has played every minute for Villa in the Premier League and Champions League this season. As per FBref, the Spaniard ranks in the top two per cent of Premier League defenders this season when it comes to progressive carries (2.57 per 90).
Ezri Konsa – 7/10
Just like Torres, Konsa has also started all nine of Villa’s Champions League and Premier League matches. His versatility has been useful, with the 26-year-old playing both at right-back and centre-back this season. Konsa ranks in the 83rd percentile of Premier League centre-backs for tackles won in the attacking third (0.16 per 90).
Diego Carlos – 2/10
The Brazilian has played three times in the Premier League and made several costly mistakes, struggling to cope with Liam Delap in the 2-2 draw at Portman Road against Ipswich Town (29 September) when winning just 33 per cent of his ground duels (1/3) [Sofascore]. He is not good enough for Villa and should be sold at the next available opportunity.
Lamare Bogarde – N/A
The 20-year-old has made several fleeting appearances in both the Champions League and Premier League. A prospect for the future.
Ian Maatsen – 4/10
The big-money signing is yet to start in the Premier League or Champions League for Villa. Therefore, he will be disappointed with his start to life at the club.
Lucas Digne – 6/10
Despite the arrival of Maatsen, Digne has continued to be Emery’s top-choice left-back. Digne ranks in the top two per cent of fullbacks in the Premier League this season for the number of assists he has provided (0.35 per 90), as well as the top six per cent for passes into the penalty area (1.56 per 90) and crosses into the box (5.56 per 90).
Matty Cash – N/A
Has only featured three times after suffering an injury toward the beginning of the season.
Kosta Nedeljković – N/A
The 18-year-old has made three appearances off the bench in the Premier League. Another prospect for the future.
Amadou Onana – 8/10
Onana has slotted in seamlessly since joining Villa from Everton. He is a mainstay in the team, has already scored three goals in all competitions and ranks in the top 13 per cent of Premier League midfielders this season for tackles won in the middle third (1.33 per 90).
John McGinn – 6/10
Made a solid start to the season. However, he has missed the last few matches due to injury.
Youri Tielemans – 7/10
Has become a mainstay in the Villa midfield, forming an impressive partnership with fellow Belgian Onana. Has one goal and three assists so far this season, while he also ranks in the 98th percentile of Premier League midfielders this season for passes into the final third (9.97 per 90).
Ross Barkley – 5/10
He hasn’t started as much as he perhaps would have liked. However, he has been a useful squad member for Emery as Villa look to handle the increased pressure and workload which comes with Champions League football.
Jacob Ramsey – 6/10
The exit-linked midfielder (via Give Me Sport, 9 October) has been a regular in the Champions League, starting both matches and scoring once, while featuring frequently in the Premier League. He will hope to put his injury issues behind him and continue building.
Emiliano Buendía – N/A
Slowly working his way back into the first-team fold after returning from a long-term injury.
Morgan Rogers – 8/10
Rogers has been one of Villa’s most exciting players this season. The 22-year-old has scored once and provided two assists in the Premier League this season. However, it is his work on the ball which has stood out, with the Englishman ranking in the 88th percentile of his positional peers in the Premier League for the number of take-ons he has attempted (5.22 per 90). Many will feel as though an England call-up is deserved.
Jaden Philogene – 5/10
Philogene looked bright in the win over Bayern Munich. He is yet to really take off at Villa Park, but there is still plenty of time this season as the 22-year-old looks to continue adapting to the Premier League.
Leon Bailey – 5/10
Bailey has largely been a letdown this season, providing just one assist in all competitions.
Jhon Durán is a superstar in the making at Aston Villa
Jhon Durán – 9/10
Where to even start with Durán? He has been a breath of fresh air, and arguably Villa’s most influential player this season, netting winner after winner. He already has six goals in all competitions, despite starting just once, and was deservedly rewarded with a brand-new contract, which is speculated to not include a release clause.
Ollie Watkins – 7/10
Watkins hasn’t been at his usual best, with the striker making a slow start to the season. However, he has four goals in his last four matches and will no doubt hope to continue building on that.
In other Aston Villa news, one player at the club has made headlines as a doctor moots a “recipe for disaster”.
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