Aston Villa suffered defeat at Villa Park as Watford sealed a league double over the hosts.
Villa started brightly; looking to make amends for last week poor showing at Newcastle. Despite the bright start we had Emi Martinez to thank for keeping the game goalless, pulling off a superb stop from Dennis after a Watford counter attack.
The second-half was uninspiring from hosts as Emmanuel Dennis snatched the win for Watford on 78 minutes.
Let’s see how the fans rated our boys in Claret and Blue!
ASTON VILLA STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-3
Emi Martinez – 8*
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
It says a lot when the best Villa player on the pitch against Watford is your keeper!
3 superb saves in the game especially his first half stop from Dennis.
Matty Cash – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
Not for the first time this season we were let down in the final third by Cash’s inability to find an end product to his surges forward.
Also, Cash’s defensive position was shocking and at times it hindered McGinn as he was hesitant to get forward as he wasn’t sure where Cash was.
Having said this I thought it was somewhat harsh that Cash was the first man subbed because as poor as he was he wasn’t anywhere near the worse on that pitch.
Calum Chambers – 6
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
Not a bad performance from the recently acquired defender. Was solid throughout and, despite conceding, won each and every battle at the heart of the Villa defence.
Whilst Ezri Konsa is likely to replace the former Arsenal man against Brighton & Hove Albion, he has certainly made a case for himself after another decent display.
Tyrone Mings – 7
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
Decent game from the skipper, plenty of effort in driving the team upfield but no protection offered by the midfield.
Won every header he attempted and made numerous clearances throughout the game. Certainly done his job well today just let down by others.
Lucas Digne – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
This was the worst we’ve seen Digne in his short time in a villa shirt.
Defensively he didn’t do much wrong because he didn’t have to do an awful lot, but going forward his half-hearted crosses left Ings with a lot to do and we became reliant on him with no other backup plans. Add to this his abysmal set pieces and it was a day to forget for the Frenchmen. Will have better days in a Villa shirt.
Douglas Luiz – 5
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
A very average game from the Brazilian, who was unfortunately taken off after 58 minutes as the first Aston Villa substitute.
Recently criticised for his lack of presence in the heart of the team, Luiz played relatively safe, directing balls back to the defensive four and to his colleagues in midfield. If he is to start in the next fixture, he has a big 90 minutes ahead…
John McGinn – 6
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
We saw a return of the John McGinn we know and love as he started the game in fine form. He was tenacious and up for the battle as he steamed into the Watford midfield.
Unfortunately he faded in second-half.
Jacob Ramsey – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
I am, and always have been, one of Ramsey’s biggest fans, but in the last two games he’s been so far off it.
Going forward offered nothing of note and defensively he wasn’t much better. Something needs to change for him to return to that level of form he has shown just two games ago.
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Emi Buendia – 4
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
Really poor outing for Buendia, over hit a few passes and attempted to shoot on more than one occasion when the best option was to pass.
Like many others today there was something missing, A lack of effort against a poor team.
Phillipe Coutinho – 5
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Showed glimpses of quality, but had nowhere near the impact he did in this two previous appearances at Villa Park.
Pinged a decent effort just over the crossbar in the second-half
Danny Ings – 4
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
The striker couldn’t prove his quality in the starting side after presented with a golden chance in front on goal on 32 minutes, when played through on goal by Emiliano Buendia.
The English striker hit the post in what proved to be the Villans best chance of the game. Aside from this, Ings was lacklustre and second to every ball, on what was a disappointing day for the former Saint.
Substitutions
Ollie Watkins 4 – On for Douglas Luiz | 58 minutes
Played in the number 10 role supporting Ings, hasn’t worked all season. Didn’t work today.
Ashley Young 4 – On for Matty Cash | 64 minutes
At the time I was very happy with this substitution as I thought that it would inject some passion and some drive into the action. Unfortunately this didn’t turn out to be the case and Young was added to the list of players that simply weren’t good enough today. Ellis
Leon Bailey 5 – On for Emi Buendia | 71 minutes
Not much to report, just another player who cannot beat the first man at a corner. Will be pushing for a start in the next game after more poor performances from the ever-presents. Gary Plaza
Subs not used | Robin Olsen, Morgan Sanson, Kortney Hause, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chrisene, Tim Iroegbunam.
Goals
Aston Villa |
Watford | Emmanuel Dennis (78)
Opposition
Watford (4-4-2) | Ben Foster, Hassane Kamara, Samir (Christian Kabasele, 90), Craig Cathcart, Kiko Femenia; Tom Cleverley, Imran Louza, Moussa Sissoko, Ismaila Sarr (Cucho Hernandez, 90); Josh King, Emmanuel Dennis (Ken Sema, 86).
Subs not used | Daniel Bachmann, Jeremy Ngakia, William Troost-Ekong, Adam Masina, Samuel Kalu, Edo Kayemebe.
THE BOSS
UP NEXT
Brighton (A) | Saturday 26th February 2022 | 15:00
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