We are delighted to welcome Ben Cash to join UTV podcast team members Justin Hawthorne (JH), Liam Mucklow and Ryan Mckeown (RM) on player rating duty, as Emi Martinez ensures we leave the AMEX with a point.
If you’d like to join us for the next game drop us a comment.
Aston Villa Formation 4-2-3-1
Emi Martinez – 9 (UTVPODCAST | POLL | MOTM)
As per usual Emi put in an outstanding performance. While everyone in front of him had an off evening in my opinion, he didn’t. Kept us in the game with three or four saves of the highest quality. (BC)
Matty Cash – 6.5
Standard gritty hardworking display, a tough night for us but defensively – outstanding as a group, worryingly went off with what looked like a hamstring injury, hope it’s not too bad. (JH)
Ezri Konsa – 7.5
The man is a brick wall! England calls! Enough said. (RM)
Tyrone Mings – 6
Played tremendously well during our last two games before this evening. Although Tyrone made a few aerial challenges and clearances during tonight’s game, I felt on the whole that he was average. (BC)
Matt Targett – 6
The most improved Villa player this season having formerly been the subject of much criticism. Solid if not spectacular tonight in an underwhelming Villa side that managed to keep yet ANOTHER clean sheet. (LM)
John McGinn – 5
Broke up play once or twice but uncharacteristically struggled to hold on to the ball. His sloppiness epitomised the team’s display. One error led directly to a Dan Burn effort on goal. Not his best night. (LM)
Douglas Luiz – 6.5
Tough night for Luiz on his return to the starting 11, did his best to stem the flow of attacks and was the best out of the midfield three marginally. (JH)
Ross Barkley – 5.5
Tough night for Barkley, like the rest of the Villa attack. Called out at half-time by most online, but he was no worst than the rest of the front line.
Like Grealish, struggled to make the ball stick and had little impact in the final 3rd. Entering a very important stage of his loan deal, needs to sharply regain the form he showed before his lay-off! Subbed. (RM)
Jack Grealish – 6
Usually, Jack is an eight or nine out of ten player week in, week out but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case this evening in my opinion. He looked tired, his first touch let him down on more than a few occasions. I feel that the sides general lack of connectivity and fluidity also contributed to this being a poor game for Jack. (BC)
Bertrand Traore – 5
A spectator for large parts of the first half, tried his luck switching sides, but with Brighton the dominant side he found himself on the fringes of the game and was eventually replaced. (JH)
Ollie Watkins – 6
Tireless running and harrying of defenders as usual, but without much success. Will feel disappointed with the lack of service tonight which resulted in one of his quieter games overall. (LM)
Substitutions:
Elmohamady (on for Cash, 60th minute) 6
Replace the injured Cash, solid display. (RM)
Trezeguet (on for Traore, 65th minute) 6
Made roads in field with some good runs, but ultimately couldn’t provide the spark Villa required. (RM)
Sanson (on for Barkley, 76th minute) 6
Lively appearance from the Frenchman. (RM)
Subs not used:
Heaton, Engels, Davis. Nakamba, Ramsey, El Ghazi.
BEN CASH
Myself and everyone at UTV Podcast was delighted that Ben could join us for the player ratings.
I speak as an outsider, Ben is showing unbelievable strength and fight in his battle against lung disease. Having a young family myself it resonates and Ben’s strength and bravery are levels above anything I’ve ever known. It’s inspirational the way he is shielding his family from his pain. A true hero in our Villa family. Keep fighting mate, we’re all with you!
Ryan.
Below is a link to a just giving page set up to help Ben Cash and his family through these difficult times.
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