Diego Carlos flops in 3/10, Rogers MOTM – Aston Villa player ratings v Brighton
Aston Villa were pegged back in their last match of the calendar year as Brighton & Hove Albion took a 2-2 draw from Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins’ penalty in a big impact and Morgan Rogers’ second-half strike in an equally superb shift appeared enough to seal the three points on Monday (30 December).
However, Tariq Lamptey’s leveller saw the points shared after Simon Adingra’s early opener, as fans headed home frustrated.
Here, Villa News rates the performances of Unai Emery’s men in their final contest of 2024.
Aston Villa end 2024 with home draw
Emi Martinez – 5
Not a ridiculous amount to do, made three saves in the first half, and was not really at fault for either goal. Some argue he has not been at his levels of last season, but that’s just Martinez as a victim of his own high standards.
Ezri Konsa – 4
Got caught cold by a ball over the top for Adingra’s opening goal, likely to slot back into the centre when Cash returns. The frustration is the knowledge the England man can perform better than those moments.
Diego Carlos – 3
Struggled with Brighton’s pace, never looked comfortable in sustained spells back there. Was then sucked forward centrally by Joao Pedro for Lamptey’s goal. Emery will be preferring a Konsa-Mings partnership if Torres remains out.
Pau Torres (off for Tyrone Mings 21′) – 3
Too easy to pull away from and then get past for first goal, two quickfire errors in a 20-minute spell to forget before injury forced his withdrawal. Hopefully not too serious.
Lucas Digne (off for Ian Maatsen 84′) – 6
Always keen to get forward as usual, even if not always successfully. Villa’s worst defending came the opposite side to his. Saw plenty of the ball and won the majority of the 50/50s that came his way.
Attacking encouragement as defence struggle
Boubacar Kamara (off for Ross Barkley 84′) – 6
Played his part in the middle of a frenetic game in which neither side really maintained control for long spells. Won a crucial header down to Watkins for Rogers’ goal, but had to do more for Lamptey’s equaliser.
Youri Tielemans (off for Amadou Onana 84′) – 5
Connected the play well at the start, was always industrious. A very impressive engine, if an unglamorous performance in the middle that sometimes needed more control when in front, eventually resulting in the goal for 2-2.
Leon Bailey (off for Jacob Ramsey 78′) – 7
Looked his encouraging better self in shades, tried a few things that very nearly came off. Guilty at times of fading in and out of games and needs a better end product, but the talent once he finds full confidence will reap his side the rewards.
John McGinn – 7
Looked up for it as usual in a stop-start first half. Brings that traditionalism to the Villa midfield and acts as a foil for the flair players, while also possessing a smartness with which he is often not fully credited.
Morgan Rogers – 8
Good link-up, lively and direct, caused trouble for the Albion defence. Scored the winner, won the penalty for the equaliser, other times served to frustrate but that’s what you get with a player of his dynamism. A perfect player for what Unai Emery is trying to work towards.
Ollie Watkins – 8
Has a huge chance to establish his place back in the side following Duran’s ban, and netted a penalty to crucially level the scores. Set up Rogers with a wonderful pass, and gave Brighton a lot to think about. The Watkins-Duran debate shows no sign of simmering.
Substitutes
Tyrone Mings (on for Pau Torres 21′) – 6
Was called upon earlier than expected after Torres’ first-half injury. Was less chaotic than his defensive teammates, did enough to help see it out, especially with the threat of Brighton’s second-half attacking changes.
Jacob Ramsey (on for Leon Bailey 78′) – 5
Came on for a cameo on his return from injury. A lovely moment in front of his very own faithful.
Amadou Onana (on for Youri Tielemans 84′) – N/A
Ross Barkley (on for Boubacar Kamara 84′) – N/A
Ian Maatsen (on for Lucas Digne 84′) – N/A
In other Aston Villa news, Chris Heck antagonises fans with his online response to a Villa announcement.
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