Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick as Aston Villa defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 to extend their winning run at home to ten games.
Hear my post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ – 8.5
“Emi Martinez made a terrific save to deny Pervis Estupinan the opener after 5 minutes, giving Villa the platform to take the lead minutes later. Largely untroubled after that, but will be annoyed with the sloppy goal we gave away”.
“Interestingly Emi’s passing was very direct; but, it was planned tactic: Unai Emery – “Yes, but our game plan was to try to avoid the duels. Try to avoid their defence against us finding the players“.
MATTY CASH – 8.5
“Delivered a superb ball from the right hand-side for Ollie Watkins to open the scoring! Tasked with the challenge of diluting the threat of Mitoma; he did it very well.”
PAU TORRES – 8.5
“Torres is really growing into this Aston Villa side”
“Comfortably stepped into midfield when Luiz pressed the Brighton defensive build-up, and was smart with his distribution”.
“Enjoy the paella Pau!”
What a great win ⚽️!!! Can’t wait to celebrate with a great paella 🥘 🇪🇸 #UTV pic.twitter.com/P0wGl06R3w
— pau torres (@pauttorres) September 30, 2023
EZRI KONSA – 9
“Started the game in his usual stylish fashion; playing Diaby through for an opening with an outrageously good ball with the outside-of-the-right foot “
“His standard this season is incredibly high; Mr. Consistent!”
Konsa’s excelled with the added responsibility following Mings’ injury; surely the watching England manager was impressed!”.
LUCAS DIGNE – 8
“Another growing into Emery’s tactical vision; made a clever overlapping distraction run to enable Ramsey to cut inside and open his account for the season”
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DOUGLAS LUIZ – 9
“I’m seriously running out of superlatives for the Brazilian”.
“Luiz has now scored in each of the last five home games (emulating Dwight Yorke’s record in 1996), and today’s goal emphasised his confidence, composure – a brilliant finish.”
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 9
“Destruction! Pure destruction of the Brighton midfield. Won every battle on the pitch – Immense!”
Tielemans 90′: Replaced the Frenchman after he took a knock in the closing stage – N/A
JOHN MCGINN – 9
“Hey, welcome back Captain! After struggling to fully assert himself in the last few games John McGinn was back to his tenacious best”
“Played a delightful inverted ball for Cash to assist Watkins the opener, and chipped a gorgeous ball to assist Watkins hat-trick goal”.
“Out of possession, McGinn was brilliant; he planted himself on Dunk and was a general nuisance to Brighton’s ball-playing defenders”.
NICOLÒ ZANIOLO – 7.5
“Excellent positioning, joining Watkins and Diaby to create a narrow press. Worked hard throughout.”
Emery’s words, post-match:
“It’s very easy to talk and work with him. His adaptation is going well. He played more on the right side, but we needed him now on the left. I am going to use him in different positions. I am very happy with him.”
Ramsey 57′: Introduced just before the hour-mark; curled in Villa’s fifth in front of the Holte End. Great to have you back JJ – 8
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MOUSSA DIABY – 9
“Looks a bargain at £52 million; ran, and ran, and ran Brighton ragged”
“Diaby’s deflected strike gave Villa a 3-0 lead heading into the break, while also adding another goal contribution with an assist for Watkins’ second goal”.
Durán 79′: More minutes for the 19-year old. Booked – N/A
OLLIE WATKINS – 10
“His second hat-trick of the season (in all competitions) and his Premier League season is well and truly up and running; 4 goals in seven games.”
“Watkins was electric today, thirsty for goals. I loved his directness and his determination to get his shot-off; Ollie got his rewards for all his hard work so far this season.”
Subs not used: Olsen, Mraschall, Lenglet, Chambers, Dendoncker, Traore.
THE OPPOSITION
Brighton: Steele, Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupiñán (Lamptey 45′), Hinshelwood (Baleba 87′), Gilmour, March (Adingra 62′), Welbeck (Pedro 45′), Mitoma, Ferguson (Fati 45′).
Subs: Verbruggen, Julio, Dahoud, van Hecke.
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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Ryan Mckeown – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
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