John McGinn in 4/10 shocker – Aston Villa player ratings v Southampton
Aston Villa are back on track in the Premier League after a tight 1-0 win against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Villans recorded back-to-back victories in the league for the first time since September, as Jhon Duran’s 24th-minute strike was enough to secure the three points at Villa Park [7 December].
Unai Emery’s men dominated the contest against the relegation-threatened Saints, and the Spaniard will be hoping normality has been restored in Birmingham after ending an eight-match winless run in the victory against Brentford midweek.
Here, Villa News rates the performances of the Villa players using statistics provided by Sofascore.
Aston Villa beat Southampton 1-0
Emi Martinez – 5
The Argentine had little to do on the day, Southampton failed to trouble the goalkeeper with any shots on target but he did what he had to.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Slotted back into the backline without missing a beat at Villa Park. Konsa won 75 per cent of his duels contested against Southampton and kept the visitors at bay all afternoon.
Diego Carlos – 9
The Brazilian was an absolute colossus for Aston Villa. He won 83 per cent of his duels all while completing 86 per cent of his passes and 60 per cent of his long balls. Nothing could get past Carlos.
Pau Torres – 8
Torres maintained his usually high standards against Southampton and continued to forge a strong partnership with Carlos in the backline. The Spaniard dealt with everything that came his way.
Ian Maatsen [off for Lucas Digne 58′] – 6
Had a solid outing against the Saints, winning 60 per cent of his ground duels and completing 85 per cent of his passes with one key pass as he took the place of Lucas Digne.
Boubacar Kamara – 7
The Frenchman was certainly the better performer of the midfield pivot at Villa Park, he performed his role to perfection winning 50 per cent of his duels and linking up the play across the pitch for his teammates.
Youri Tielemans [off for Ross Barkley 59′] – 6
The Belgian kept his side ticking by completing 90 per cent of his passes with two key passes but was ultimately removed with Emery looking for more creativity in the midfield.
Jhon Duran wins the match for Aston Villa v Southampton
Leon Bailey [off for Jaden Philogene 59′] – 5
Bailey left the pitch with a fresh injury concern at Villa Park, which will explain his display as he offered little threat from the flanks.
Morgan Rogers – 6
The young forward failed to register a single shot on goal at Villa Park, he looked comfortable in possession and was threatening at times, but not much to write home about for Rogers.
John McGinn – 4
A rare poor display from the Aston Villa captain, McGinn really struggled at Villa Park. The Scottish international completed 85 per cent of his 22 passing attempts and 50 per cent of his crosses, losing possession nine times in crucial areas of the pitch and giving away three fouls on the day.
Jhon Duran [off for Ollie Watkins 58′] – 8
Showed great desire and composure to capitalise on a mistake at the back for Southampton and dinked Aston Villa into the lead on his first Premier League start. He scored his goal from two shots on target resulting in a 50 per cent shot conversion rate and single-handedly secured the three points for Villa.
Substitutions:
Lucas Digne – 7
The Frenchman won 100 per cent of his duels when replacing Maatsen and completed 85 per cent of his passes with three key passes as he helped Aston Villa force the issue, and he looks to regain his starting spot.
Ross Barkley – 5
Jaden Philogene – 5
Ollie Watkins – 6
Watkins was lively at times but couldn’t direct any of his four shots on target.
In other Aston Villa news, a bidding war for Milos Kerkez could break out amid a transfer reveal at Villa.
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