After a painstaking 16 day wait for action, Aston Villa played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
Aston Villa recovered from a slow start to blast themselves into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from the Brazilian magician Coutinho and our own Jacob Ramsey, who bagged a brace following Dan James’ opener.
Seconds before the half-time whistle, Dan James struck again, rising to head home in a goalmouth scramble. Llorente sealed the comeback on 63 minutes. 3-3.
Villa finished the game with ten men following Konsa’s second bookable offence, he’ll now miss the next two games.
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 Ryan Mckeown
Disappointing display from the Argentinian.
I felt Emi could of maybe done more to prevent the opening two goals, positioning and speed of reaction for Dan James’ opener could of been better, and was nowhere near collecting the cross that came in for the second. No chance with the third mind.
Matty Cash – 5
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
A very mixed evening from Cash in a game where he would go missing for large periods but then all of a sudden make a crushing tackle to get Villa Park revved up again.
I though Cash looked just a little bit tired after the long break as he was slightly hesitant to track back after running forwards. It was definitely not Cash’s best performance this season but it certainly wasn’t his worst.
Ezri Konsa – 2
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
Poor first half from Konsa, needed to do more to block the shot from James.
Even worse 2nd half from him. Lost his man for the 3rd. Really awful showing by our defence tonight!
Pathetic second yellow card summed up his performance!
Tyrone Mings – 4
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
A very poor defensive display all round from Villa. Leeds had the back line rattled, and defending looked panicked and scrambled quite frequently. Mings did make a few very crucial blocks and had a close header on goal, but otherwise did not do enough to protect the Villa goal.
Lucas Digne – 5.5
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
Caught out of position for the opener which meant Mings had to cover but that’s expected at times with how Gerrard wants to play. Some good link up play and unlucky not to score before the break.
Douglas Luiz – 5
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
This was another game that felt it needed a strong force in the midfield, in-front of the defence, particularly in the second half. As Leeds tired Villa out with their persistent pressing and closing down, the midfield legs certainly seemed to tire and Luiz drifted in and out of the game. The defence needed more support.
John McGinn – 5
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
To be honest, before the game I really fancied McGinn to have a great game given the physicality in the middle of the park but he just seemed to ghost a little bit in the centre which left me somewhat disappointed. He struggled to really make an impact going forwards but defensively he bought the intensity that he always brings into the game.
Jacob Ramsey – 8.5
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Dare I say, I think Ramsey has every chance of making the England 2022 World Cup Squad, bold I know, but I rate him that highly.
It was another fine performance from the youngster, and for me, is now the first name on the team sheet.
Expertly executed finishes highlight the confidence and freedom JJ is displaying in his play!
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Emi Buendia – 7
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
As expected he gave his all. Superb pressure and energy throughout just lacked conviction in his final ball in the first half.
Off injured early in the 2nd half and replaced by Chukwumeka.
Phillipe Coutinho – 8.5
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
This glorious little Brazilian wizard was one of the highlights of the evening. In the first half, Coutinho gave Leeds a real tough time with some clever turns, good runs and of course two assists and a goal. With that kind of production of creativity, he was a joy to watch. Certainly tired in the second half and was taken off with tiredness and cramp – unsurprising given the pace of the game in the early stages of his return to full fitness.
Ollie Watkins – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
I personally thought this was one of Watkins’ worse performances in a Villa shirt. He failed to work a poor goalkeeper in Meslier and his pressuring just lacked the danger it used to hold.
I’m not sure why it’s not working for Watkins, and I really hope he gets going again because he is such a quality player, but unfortunately in my eyes he didn’t bring that quality tonight.
Aston Villa | Substitutions
Carney Chukwuemeka (on for Buendia, 59)
Didn’t have much impact on the game but another outing for the youngster.
Ashley Young (on for Coutinho, 78) – N/A
Experienced head helped when down to 10 men and 8 minutes of injury time were added.
Calum Chambers (on for Ramsey, 89) – N/A
Aston Villa debut. Came on to slot into the back 4 following Konsa’s red card.
Subs not used | Robin Olsen, Morgan Sanson, Tim Iroegbunam, Ben Chrisene, Kortney Hause, Danny Ings.
Goals
Aston Villa | Coutinho (30), J.Ramsey (38, 43)
Leeds United | James (9, 45+2), Llorente (63)
Opposition
Leeds United | Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Koch, Klich (Forshaw, 85); Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James.
Subs not used | Klaesson, Roberts, Bate, Gelhardt, Hjelde, McKinstry, Shackleton, Kenneh.
THE BOSS
PLAYER REACTION
UP NEXT
Newcastle United | Away | Sunday 13th February 2022 | 14:00
FAN REPORT | Words by Joey Millington
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