Philippe Coutinho scored on his debut as Aston Villa fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Manchester United at Villa Park.
The new loan signing came off the bench with the hosts 0-2 down to inspire a dramatic comeback.
Jacob Ramsey on 77 minutes netted his first goal in front of the Holte End after a neat passage of interplay with Coutinho, Ramsey then returned the favour 5 minutes later; crossing low for the Brazilian international to finish from close range!
Let’s see how the fans rated our boys in Claret and Blue!
STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-3
Emi Martinez – 5
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
Usually, the one saving the team, but was at fault for the games’ opener. Bruno Fernandes hit it from range after a short free-kick and Martinez failed to react quickly enough to keep the Portuguese’s effort out.
A rarity from the Argentine but so very costly so early on. From here, the performance from Villa’s number one improved drastically and he made a smart stop denying Mason Greenwood from close range. Not the best day for Emi, but the Villa faithful can excuse him, and his emotional celebration in the crowd after the late equaliser was a sight to behold.
Matty Cash – 6.5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Matty Cash struggled in the early exchanges against the tricky youngster Anthony Elanga. Despite his difficult first half, Cash, as he often does, posed a real threat going the other way and came agonisingly close to setting up a debut goal for Digne with a dangerous whipped cross. Much better second half barring a horror pass which Elanga could not punish.
Superb link-up play with those in front of him, particularly when Watkins dropped deep for the give-and-go.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Clashed heavily with Elanga in the first-half and couldn’t run it off, replaced during the break.
Fingers crossed it’s not too serious.
Tyrone Mings – 6
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
A tale of two second-half goals will sum up Mings. United’s second and Villa’s first.
I thought it at the time and have since watched it back a few times and for me, Mings can get to Sanson’s pass. Yes, it’s under-hit but with a bit of commitment, he could have taken the ball and Fred together. I cannot understand why he stands off?
The other side of Mings and his part in us getting back in the game was exceptional. Driving forward and skipping a couple of challenges before releasing the ball created the opening goal. It’s a side of Mings we don’t see enough of.
I’m a fan of Mings but these inconsistencies in his performances could see him replaced in the summer if he doesn’t cut them out.
Lucas Digne – 8
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
An impressive debut from the Frenchman, who looked settled in the team from the first minute. Our new number 27 was often seen bombing forward down the left and delivering several high-quality crosses from both open-play and dead-ball scenarios.
The £25 million man had a few efforts at goal, forcing David De Gea into a fine save, and a slightly mishit shot in the second companion which unfortunately hit the side netting. Gerrard will be delighted with the full-back’s performance, and you can see Digne will have a big part to play in this side.
Douglas Luiz – 7
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Performed well. Yes, there were lapses in his defensive play but overall, he was neat and tidy in possession and kept the game ticking over.
Morgan Sanson – 6
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Was one of Villa’s better performers in the periods in which United dominated. Sanson is a tidy yet tenacious midfielder, but it was this aggression that led to a few silly fouls, such as the one which preceded the opening goal. Set the tempo well but was hooked immediately after his rushed pass put Villa in trouble for Fernandes to get his second, although the ball to him from his compatriot Digne did not help his cause!
A handful of costly errors mean this display will not be enough to nail down a regular starting-berth just yet but a decent performance from Sanson nonetheless.
Jacob Ramsey – 9
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
A tale of two halves for the new local hero. Completely none existent in the first half like most of the team and if he was taken off at half time no one would’ve argued the decision.
However, his second-half display was one we’d associate with Gerrard himself. Power, pace, tough in the tackle it had it all! For once a display like this in a Villa shirt got its rewards.
Unlucky not to score early in the second half forcing De Gea into a great save following a neat give and go with Buendia. Ramsey got his goal after superb work from Mings, Chukwumeka and Coutinho the ball fell to him and he rifled it past the keeper.
The local lad wasn’t finished there though, his forward run was seen by the impressive Buendia and with a pinpoint cross Coutinho levelled.
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Emi Buendia – 9
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
The little Argentine seems to be finding his feet in Steven Gerrard side now, and once he brushes up on his final pass/shot and adds that cutting edge to his game, he will become a real threat.
Throughout the game, Villa’s number 10 looked to get on the ball and make something happen, outwitting his Man United opponents on several occasions and demonstrating his creative spark and flair time after time.
The 25-year-old has faced his fair share of criticism this season, but his performance this week cannot be underestimated or downplayed. A serious talent.
Danny Ings – 5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Danny Ings is just so frustrating to watch right now, as in fits and starts the forward looks like a real nuisance for defenders. But when paired with Watkins, it just does not seem to be clicking. It is little surprise that his best performance in recent weeks was when Watkins was unavailable against Brentford!
Gerrard may decide to adopt a horses for courses policy with the pair with specific opponents targeted for each striker. Villa looked at their most scintillating when the England international came off. It will work out for Ings, but Saturday was not his day.
Ollie Watkins – 5
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
A really quiet game for Ollie, you could be forgiven if you thought he didn’t play at all.
It seems the signing of Danny Ings means Gerrard is being told to find a way to play both but it simply doesn’t work. Both players thrive playing through the middle so it needs to be decided who starts and who’s benched.
I’d go with Ollie as he presses with greater intensity and with a run of winnable games ahead I see his form changing, a purple patch and a flurry of goals incoming.
Substitutions
Hause – 7
Rating contribution from Hannah Smith
A solid 45 minutes from Kourtney Hause. He came on for Esri Konsa at halftime and slotted into the team as if he had more match time behind him in this system.
Some outstanding cross-field passes to Digne opened up the play & helped us see why the fullbacks are going to be crucial to Gerard’s plan. Feel comfortable that Hause will be able to do the job if Konsa is out of the next game.
Coutinho – 9.5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Not a bad debut for the man known as the Magician! Steven Gerrard has been quick to defend Coutinho for his lack of match sharpness and there was just a hint of rustiness early on. But this is a lad who is one of the finest technical players of this generation and he swiftly grew into the game with some delicate touches and penetrative passes. Played a crucial role in freeing Ramsey in the box as Villa pulled one back, and the Brummie midfielder returned the compliment to ‘Little Phil’ who sent the stadium into raptures! More of the same next week please Philippe!
Chukwuemeka – 7.5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
In one of his first involvements, the young midfielder drove at the heart of Man United, and this was a sign of what was to come in a rousing finale at Villa Park. The in-demand Chukwuemeka does not seem interested in the agent noise surrounding his current contract situation and put in a brave and assured cameo as he helped Villa wrestle back control against United.
Subs not used: Jed Steer, Matt Targett, Ashley Young, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Cameron Archer, Tim Iroegbunam.
Goals
Aston Villa |Ramsey (77), Coutinho (82)
Manchester United | Bruno Fernandes (6, 67)
Opposition
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Alex Telles; Nemanja Matic, Fred, Anthony Elanga (Jadon Sancho, 77), Bruno Fernandes (Jesse Lingard, 88), Mason Greenwood (Donny van de Beek, 88); Edinson Cavani.
Subs not used: Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Juan Mata.
THE BOSS
UP NEXT
EVERTON (A) | Saturday 22nd January | 12.30
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