Aston Villa suffered heartbreak in injury time as Arsenal scored twice late on to inflict a dramatic 4-2 defeat at Villa Park.
Let’s hear the fans’ post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
EMILIANO MARTINEZ – 6
βA frustrating day for the Argentine No.1 against his old side. Typically when conceding 4 goals, youβd look at the goalkeeper for answers, but there was very little Dibu could do today. Very few goalkeepers in the world could get near both Saka and Zinchenkoβs strikes. The third goal was genuinely unlucky – Martinez could do little about Jorginhoβs fine strike, with the ball rebounding back off the 30-year-old. With Villa chasing an equaliser, Emi was sent forward and the 4th came with the World Cup winner far from his goal. An overall disappointing dayβ.
– Liam Davies
MATTY CASH – 6
βGreat to see Cash taking his chance now back in the starting line up. Defensively solid and his pressing allowed him to steal the ball and play a superb ball over to Ollie for the opener. Continued in the second half however 2 goals in injury time punished usβ.
– Gary Plaza
TYRONE MINGS – 6
“Fresh from signing a new contract extension, Tyrone Mings returned to the starting lineup after missing the defeat away at Manchester City last weekend. Gifted Saka the equaliser with a poor clearance which would of deverstated Mings; recovered well but is still part of a defencive unit that has shipped 8 goals in two home games.” “This must improve.”
– Ryan Mckeown
EZRI KONSA – 6
βBottom line is that he his part of a defence that has conceded 11 goals across 3 games. And heβs the only player to have started all three of those. Seemed more comfortable in the first half, and undoubtedly more assured with Mings on his left. Disappointing in the second and was incredibly lucky that Arsenal didnβt punish his loss of possession when Odergaard missed when it was easier to score. Also our jumped by Nketiah when the Arsenal sticker hit the bar. Hit and missβ.
– Ivan McDouall
ALEX MORENO – 6
“Arguably handed the toughest task of the afternoon up against Bukayo Saka. The English winger frustrated the Spaniard throughout the opening 45 and equalised for The Gunners in the 16th minute. Moreno, however, set up Phil Coutinho to put Villa ahead before the break, showing his offensive capabilities. The former Real Betis man was replaced by Lucas Digne in the 78th, with the January signing beginning to struggle against Arsenalβs talisman. There are certainly a few shaky sines defensively, but you get that feeling that Moreno, with time, can thrive in this system”.
– Liam Davies
LUCAS DIGNE – 6
on for Moreno, 78 minutes:βReplacing Alex Moreno in the 78th minute, the Frenchman, who put a few low-quality deliveries into the box, put in a lacklustre last 10 minutes at Villa Park. Youβd argue the former Evertonian is better defensively than his left-back competitor Moreno, but going forward he is weaker. His position is certainly a talking point heading into the summer window. Will the No.27 still be at B6 come next season?β
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DOUGLAS LUIZ – 7
βBlonde Luiz is back and looking determined. Great break-up of play against a talented Arsenal midfield. The connection with Kamara and Buendia is there for all to see and admire. Taken off in the second half and it showed as we became increasingly under pressureβ.
– Gary Plaza
LEANDER DONDONCKER – 4
on for Douglas Luiz, 67 minutes: “Came on but offered nothing in reality. Didn’t have the mobility to cope with Arsenal’s midfield“.
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 6
βSigns of the majestic touch that had been lacking in the past two games. Certainly seemed to have learnt his lesson from Leicester. So much of the game was played by Arsenal out wide that he couldnβt often have the desired influence. Lovely play for Villaβs second goal when playing in Morenoβ.
– Ivan McDouall
JOHN MCGINN – 7
βIn the Scotβs first start since returning from injury, McGinn showed tenacity and fight in the midfield. Like many, the first half was his best showing and the No.7 was seemingly quiet in the second half. A solid showing from the Villa captain who, despite going missing in the second half, showed why he is a valuable member of the squadβ.
– Liam Davies
EMILIANO BUENDIA – 5.5
βHis workrate is fantastic, the way he presses allows is effective and shows the team what the fans expect. Superb understanding with Coutinho to leave the ball and put us back in front. Subbed in the second halfβ
– Gary Plaza
LEON BAILEY – 5
on for Emi Buendia, 67 minutes:. “Unlucky not to put us 3-2 ahead when his shot was tipped onto the bar however that was the only bright spark in a poor 30 minutes”.
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PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 7
“A start for Coutinho had been building following a string of encouraging and productive cameos from the bench. Coutinho did not disappoint in a lively showing, demonstrating signs of the magic we were treated to when he first arrived; taking his goal very well with a perfectly placed finish to restore the lead following Saka’s equaliser. Put in a shift until replaced by Ramsey just after the hour mark”.
– Ryan Mckeown
JACOB RAMSEY – 5
on for Coutinho, 62 minutes: “Struggled to get in the game but did slip a lovely ball in down the left-hand side for Duran’s chance late-on”.
OLLIE WATKINS – 7
β4 goals in 4 games Ollie is in a rich vein of form and was sharp from the off. He continually menaced the Arsenal back line. A shining light and another demonstration of his importance to Villa and successive managersβ.
– Ivan McDouall
JHON DURAN – 6
on for Watkins, 78 minutes: βLifted VP when he came on and immediately out himself about, giving Arsenal something different to think about. Forced a save from Ramsdale although perhaps should have looked left to Leon Bailey. More to comeβ.
Subs not used: Viljami Sinisalo, Calum Chambers, Ashley Young, Bertrand Traore.
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OPPOSITION
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White (Tomiyasu, 80), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka (Vieira, 80), Saka, Odegaard, Trossard (Martinelli, 68), Nketiah.
Subs not used: Turner, Tierney, Kiwior, Holding, Smith Rowe, Nelson.
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Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
AUTHOR | RYAN MCKEOWN
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Ryan Mckeown – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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