Aston Villa player ratings v Forest: Morgan Rogers MOTM, 4/10 teammate rubbish
Aston Villa have secured their seventh consecutive victory across all competitions with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Unai Emery’s men raced to a 2-0 lead when Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen scored two goals in as many first-half minutes.
Jota Silva proved to be a difference maker for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the second half, and deservedly tucked his goal home.
Villa will be delighted to have beaten Forest, who had not previously lost since being beaten by Newcastle on 23 February.
Villa News rates the performances of Emery’s men out of 10
Emi Martinez – 6
Did well to keep Ryan Yates’ effort from range in his clutches, albeit a save the Villa faithful would expect him to make. Couldn’t do anything to prevent Jota’s deflected effort from hitting the back of the net. Wouldn’t have been able to stop Murillo’s ambitious shot if it was on target instead of smacking the bar.
Andres Garcia – 7
Fed a dangerous cross in Marco Asensio’s direction. Put in a solid performance before making way for Ezri Konsa at half-time.
Axel Disasi – 5
Made an audacious attempt at goal but missed the target by a solid margin. Moved to right-back after Konsa replaced Garcia. Defensively sound when at centre-back, but made it too easy for Neco Williams to cross the ball for Forest’s goal, which epitomised how uncomfortable he looked at full-back.
Tyrone Mings – 6
Wasn’t particularly at fault when Forest carved out chances, but sometimes looked uncomfortable with the dribbling threat of Hudson-Odoi.
Ian Maatsen – 7
Forced Matz Sels into making a decent save from a tight angle in the early proceedings, terrific wing play to set up Malen’s goal. Was brave to attack so frequently amid Forest’s usual threat on the counterattack, but struggled to deal with Jota in the second half.
Amadou Onana – 7
Barely put a foot wrong before making way for Boubacar Kamara. Solid but not spectacular performance from the Belgium international.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Couldn’t trouble the Forest goal with an early effort from range but excellent vision and execution to pick out Rogers for his assist. Also instrumental in the second goal as he played Maatsen through down the wing. Lacked defensive nous in the second half.
Donyell Malen – 8
Troubled Forest down the right-hand side in the early exchanges of the game before he tapped home Villa’s second goal.
Marco Asensio – 7
Will have been disappointed not to have made the best of Garcia’s searching cross. Could only direct his free-kick from a threatening position into Sels’ arms.
Morgan Rogers – 8 (MOTM)
A lovely finish across goal to hand Villa the lead after a sublime first touch to bring down Tielemans’ pass. Gave the ball away as Forest created an opportunity for Callum Hudson-Odoi, but it went unpunished. Had a solo effort in the second half but could have squared the ball to Marcus Rashford.
Ollie Watkins – 4
Was an injury doubt heading into the fixture, lacked his usual threat. Villa will need better from the England man against PSG. Deservedly hooked for Marcus Rashford.
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa (On for Garcia, 46) – 5
Was unlucky that Jota’s shot deflected off him and into the Villa goal, but it wasn’t a good look for Konsa that Forest looked significantly more dangerous after he entered the field of play.
Marcus Rashford (On for Watkins, 62) – 6
Looked more lively than Watkins in a shorter outing but lacked the threat he has shown in recent weeks. Couldn’t beat Sels in stoppage time from a one-on-one situation.
Boubacar Kamara (On for Onana, 62) – 6
Took off from where Onana left but blazed a decent opportunity to score well over the bar.
Jacob Ramsey (On for Malen, 62) – 6
Injected energy to Villa’s play when they had been under pressure.
John McGinn (On for Asensio, 73) – 5
Struggled to make his mark on the game in a small number of minutes.