Martinez 4/10 shocker, teammate 9/10 – Aston Villa player ratings v Brighton
Aston Villa secured a much-needed three points and continued their momentum into the Premier League with an excellent 3-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen struck in the second half in a welcome win for Unai Emery on Wednesday (2 April).
The Villans continue to fight on three fronts including seeking European qualification via the league.
Villa News rates the performances of Emery’s men out of 10 from the Amex Stadium.
Aston Villa player ratings v Brighton
Emi Martinez – 4
Got away with the Adingra disallowed goal after palming the ball his way. Was fine otherwise but little else to do, clean sheet was down to his defence.
Matty Cash (off for Axel Disasi 81′) – 8
A solid performance at right-back, always available, caught out slightly for the disallowed goal but was key in grinding out the win, setting up Rogers to provide Asensio.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Slightly poor for the disallowed strike for Brighton, but fine overall and helped keep the clean sheet.
Pau Torres – 7
Organised in the middle of the defence.
Lucas Digne – 6
Functional and used his experience well to help see the game out.
Rogers, Rashford and Cash do the business
John McGinn – 5
Could’ve done better with a first-half header, tidy in the middle.
Boubacar Kamara – 6
An important part of the operation going forward, nothing too inspiring but got to important balls first.
Youri Tielemans (off for Ollie Watkins 65′) – 5
Will be needed in many future games, nothing of note but fine for Aston Villa on the night.
Jacob Ramsey (off for Amadou Onana 65′) – 6
Should’ve had a first-half penalty, threatened down the left.
| Marco Asensio at Aston Villa | Total |
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 8 |
Morgan Rogers (off for Donyell Malen 88′) – 9
Almost anonymous in the first half, but a fantastic ball to set up Rashford for the opener and assisted Asensio. Match-winner.
Marcus Rashford (off for Marco Asensio 65′) – 8
A massive moment from a man looking to be enjoying his football again with Emery and Villa. Will be key in the closing weeks.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio (on for Marcus Rashford 65′) – 7
On again, scored again. What a spell at Aston Villa this man is having, and made the points safe on the South Coast.
Ollie Watkins (on for Youri Tielemans 65′) – 6
Good improvisation to avoid Asensio’s shot for the second.
Amadou Onana (on for Jacob Ramsey 65′) – 5
Axel Disasi (on for Matty Cash 81′) – 5
Donyell Malen (on for Morgan Rogers 88′) – 7
Came on, got his goal in the last embers to put the icing on the cake.