We are delighted to welcome a diamond of the Villa Twitter community – Algie (x) and Facebook’s AVFC 12th Man creator Alex Lineham (AL) to join UTV podcast team members Justin Hawthorne (JH), and Ryan Mckeown (RM) on player rating duty, as Aston Villa fall to a 1-2 home defeat against Champions League chasing Leicester City.
If you’d like to join us for the next game drop us a comment.
Aston Villa Formation 4-1-2-2-1
Emi Martinez – 7
Good start with some important saves early on, beaten for the first goal by a deflected but good strike, although he got a hand to the ball I don’t think he can be blamed. Let down by his defenders’ reactions after saving the initial shot on the build-up to the second goal. Good distribution and not seriously tested in the second half. (AL)
Ahmed Elmohamady- 5
He was always in for a tough afternoon given his lack of action and being pitted against one the most in-form wingers in the Premier League. Got sucked into the space left vacated by the midfield for the first goal, allowing space for an unmarked Barnes to slot home. (RM)
Ezri Konsa – 7.5
Made some important early challenges and blocks but could have closed down quicker for the first goal. Unlucky to concede a second due to a lucky bounce and his full-back not reacting. Looked assured thereafter and kept Leicester’s chances to a minimum in the second half. (AL)
Tyrone Mings – 7
First 5.. maybe 10 minutes was too worried about being captain rather than centre back… from then on kept Jamie Vardy out of the game… could have been 3 or 4 if he didn’t neutralise Vardy… solid 7…x
Matt Targett – 7
Mr dependable, he’s so solid! He was doubled up on in the first half against 2 attacking full-backs in the form of Castagne and Ricardo, got to grips with them in the second half and grew more influential in the attack. A decent shift in front of the watching Southgate. (RM)
John McGinn – 6
My Bestie Meatball – Very sloppy opening 5 minutes… performed below what I’d expect from him, until after 35 minutes when he upped his game, second half I loved his distribution and movement. I think he’s still off the ball since his injury but he’s also not being played in the position that got us promoted and got him a new contract. A very poor first half (35 mins) but clawed it back with his movement in the second half so another 6…x
Douglas Luiz – 6
Another game where he was trying to put fires out all over, with Barkley out of form it makes his job so much harder. Needs more help! (JH)
Ross Barkley – 3
Started a little deeper than usual asking for the ball but gave it away nearly every time he had it in the first 20 minutes, he struggled to get on the ball for the rest of the game and offered little to change that. Passenger for most of the 75 minutes he played before being substituted for Aaron Ramsay, who was the polar opposite. (3 – and that’s an extra mark for not kicking the water bottles) (AL)
Anwar El Ghazi – 5
The Marmite player for all villa fans, 6 in 9 games this season and was taken out the side when in good form, can’t find that form again and will probably not start against Leeds, tried but little impact. (JH)
Bertrand Traore – 7.5
I like Bert he might not trackback every time but he’s a flair player who’s got a great knack for scoring goals, he had some nice touches and scored! Will have worse days. (JH)
Ollie Watkins – 6
Ollie’ 1st touch was uncharacteristically poor first 20 minutes, as usual, he ran the channels amazingly, but due to no energy behind him, he was constantly isolated so kept dropping too deep. A six but more a reflection on his teammates tbf…x
Substitutions:
Trezeguet (on for El Ghazi – 67th minute) – 5
Return of the classic like for like swap. (RM)
Ramsey (on for Barkley – 76th minute) – 7
Positive cameo from the youngster, will be pushing for a start against Leeds. (RM)
Sanson (on for Luiz – 81st minute) – N/A
Subs not used:
Heaton, Kasler, Taylor, Davis. Nakamba, Chukwuemeka
PLAYER REACTIONS
THE BOSS
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2 Responses
Time to leave Barkley on the bench he is not giving anything for the team.
He’s going through a very rough spell – confidence is low! Taking him out the firing line could be the best option…
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