Aston Villa player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Youri Tielemans stellar, 3/10 anonymous again
Aston Villa secured a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Villa struggled in the first half against Forest as a lack of true attacking threat was ended with a bang when Ollie Watkins netted the opener.
McGinn doubled the home side’s lead as he made a point after being benched from the start of Villa’s 4-1 defeat away to Arsenal in mid-week.
One time Villa target Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back for the Reds, but it wasn’t enough to steal a point from Villa Park after McGinn netted his second of the day to make it 3-1.
Villa News has now rated each player’s performance out of 10 as Unai Emery’s men bounced back to winning ways in the Premier League.
Youri Tielemans superb again for Aston Villa
Tielemans was great away to Chelsea and, despite a frustrating evening at the Emirates, was back to his best in the Midlands.
The 28-year-old racked up 86 passes and maintained a 93 per cent pass accuracy as he was the man to keep Villa ticking over against Forest.
The Belgium international created one chance and grabbed an assist for McGinn’s bizarre second goal and Villa’s third.
There was so much to admire about Tielemans’ performance in what could have been a true banana skin for the Villans on another day.
It was the midfield general who made sure that wouldn’t happen.
Emi Buendia hugely quiet vs Nottingham Forest
Buendia has had a positive season to this point, with his last-gasp winner against Arsenal destined to be arguably the moment of the campaign.
That alone won’t be enough to save his place in the side as the Argentine continues to struggle with a lack of impact in claret and blue.
The 29-year-old was hooked on 69 minutes in B6, but could have very few complaints after what was an anonymous afternoon.
Buendia maintained a zero per cent shot accuracy despite taking aim on two occasions at Villa Park.
That isn’t bettered by his two failed dribble attempts and two wayward crosses, which summed up his performance against Forest.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
Emi Martinez – 5
Matty Cash – 6
Ezri Konsa – 7
Victor Lindelof – 5
Ian Maatsen – 6
Boubacar Kamara – 7
Youri Tielemans – 8
John McGinn – 7
Morgan Rogers – 7
Emi Buendia – 3
Ollie Watkins – 7
Substitutes
Lucas Digne – 5
Jadon Sancho – 5
Lamare Bogarde – 5
Donyell Malen – N/A
Andres Garcia – N/A
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