Aston Villa won their first game at Stamford Bridge since New Year’s Eve in 2011 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn!
Let’s hear the fans’ post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
EMILIANO MARTINEZ – 9.5
“I feared for today when he played an awful pass to Kamara which needed a world class save to prevent us going behind! After that most of the first half was kept at 1-0 due to Emi’s saves. Second half we were better defensively and Emi showed why he is one of the worlds best. Commanded the box and helped shut Chelsea out. 34 clean sheets in 100 games beats both Bosnich and Friedel”.
– Gary Plaza
ASHLEY YOUNG – 8
“Calm as ever – helped regroup after Martinez and Kamara mix up early on and showed every inch of his canny experience to go down under pressure from a leaping Chilwell. Played higher in the second half to mixed effect but his evergreen energy was there for all to see. What a season”.
– Ivan McDouall
TYRONE MINGS – 7.5
Struggled in the first-half. Caught out of position on a couple of occasions, also played a terrible pass to Luiz which was intercepted and gave Chelsea a 3-on-1 attack. Luckily, Konsa was having a superb half and helped get a block in. Massive improvement second half he was fantastic though and helped shut out the game and preserve the clean sheet.
– Gary Plaza
EZRI KONSA – 8.5
“Another towering and commanding performance from Ezri Konsa! The calmness in this play is infectious to the rest of the back line, especially when playing out from the back”.
– Ryan Mckeown
ÁLEX MORENO – 8
“Troubled by Loftus Cheek early on but grew in confidence as part of a strong collective rearguard effort. The fact he wasn’t replaced sooner (as has often been the case when Villa have something to protect) shows how he is growing into Premier League life). First choice now, end of”.
Lucas Digne, 89 minutes: N/A – Booked.
– Ivan McDouall
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DOUGLAS LUIZ – 8
“Harried off the ball from kick off but that was a solitary lapse. Fast becoming the conductor of this side whoever plays in and around him. Not the first time I’ve said this but amazing to think he hasn’t been an automatic choice. Simply oozing class – wonderful“.
Leander Dendoncker, 87 minutes: N/A – “Glad his hand is better!”
– Ivan McDouall
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 6
“Poor decision to take out Havertz early on and get carded. Difficult for a player like him to play his usual game when on a booking with over 85 minutes to play. Subbed at half time for this reason in my opinion”.
Calum Chambers, 45 minutes: 7 – “Came on to replace Kamara and he played well. Superb defensively and played his part in a great away victory”.
– Gary Plaza
JOHN MCGINN – 9
“Well, that was worth the wait, wasn’t it? McGinn has been in splendid form, and he got the goal he craved. Went so close to opening the scoring, smashing the crossbar with a first-time shot from the edge of the box. McGinn made no mistake with his second sighting of goal, sweeping a precise shot into the net from range after collecting Ramsey’s cutback following a Villa corner. Slotted in seamlessly again next to Luiz following Kamara’s withdrawal.”
– Ryan Mckeown
EMILIANO BUENDIA – 6
“Not really seen in the game today to comment. Energy was there but the action wasnt. replaced by Bailey”.
Leon Bailey, 76 minutes: 7 – “Brilliant cameo from Bailey. Showed so much going forwards and offered something different to Buendia”.
– Gary Plaza
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JACOB RAMSEY – 7
“Excellent on the counter-attack today! Ramsey’s direct ball-carrying caused Chelsea problems throughout the first half; with a bit more composure, he could have slipped Watkins in for a couple more efforts on goal. Grafted throughout the second half and assisted Captain John McGinn for his goal with a beautifully weighted pass”.
– Ryan Mckeown
OLLIE WATKINS – 8
“Missed target in first 10 – should have done better. But redeemed himself with a deliciously calm chip over a stranded Kepa. Increasingly isolated but as ever continued to work hard and played a key part defensively often clearing his lines to great effect. First Villa player for 58 years to score in 5 consecutive away games is astounding. Deserves all the plaudits. Where are the doubters now”?
– Ivan McDouall
Subs not used: Sinisalo, Durán, Wright, Traoré, Diego Carlos,
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THE OPPOSITION
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Koulibaly, Cucurella (Pulisic 80′), James, Kovacic (Gallagher 80′), Fernández, Loftus-Cheek (Kanté 57′), Chilwell, João Félix, Mudryk (Madueke 57′), Havertz
Subs: Badiashile, Madueke, Kanté, Chukwuemeka, Bettinelli, Pulisic, Chalobah, Mount, Gallagher
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AUTHOR | RYAN MCKEOWN
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Ryan Mckeown – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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