Aston Villa ran riot under the lights at Elland Road to smash relegation-threatened Leeds United 0-3.
Goals from The Magician – Coutinho, the in-form Matty Cash and an outrageous strike from Calum Chambers sealed maximum points for the third consecutive game.
Let’s see how the Villa Fans rated our stars in Claret and Blue.
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STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-1-2
Emi Martinez – 7
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Easy night for Emi Martinez as he claimed his third consecutive clean sheet.
Managed the game professionally when Leeds made a lively start to the second-half; slowing the game down and nullifying any Leeds momentum.
* Matty Cash – 9
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
Off the back of an impressive run of form, the Polish Cafu shone once again with a goal and an assist.
Not only was his forward play promising, showing signs of real improvement and consistency, but his defensive work was cool, calm and collected.
He is looking unplayable recently, and Villa will very pleased indeed to see his game reaching the next level.
Calum Chambers – 9
Rating contribution from Ivan McDouall
How do we talk about anything but that goal – sensational strike!
I can’t be alone in wondering what the plan was with Chambers and the various debates about will he play ‘6’ or be a back-up centre back but for a player to come into a club with an established partnership and challenge is commendable.
A great lesson in squad depth and taking your opportunity when presented; who’d have imagined a situation where Konsa was sat on the bench thinking “I ain’t getting back in here.”
Defensively had little to do, and dealt with the Leeds strike-force with ease. Developing a promising relationship with Cash on the right.
Tyrone Mings – 8.5
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
It looked like it was going to be eventful game for Mings early on with a poor pass to Digne going out of play followed by a knock from James that seemed to trouble him!
However Captain fantastic recovered well and finished the half well. There was a small storm to weather in the second half but we defended well and pushed on.
Superb assist for the Chambers goal, top performance.
Lucas Digne – 7
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Digne returned to the starting line-up in replacement of Ashley Young after missing out against Southampton.
Played a huge part in the opening goal with some excellent build-up play along with Danny Ings and Douglas Luiz.
Pinged the free-kick in that lead to the Villa’s third; an outrageous finish from Calum Chambers and always offered Villa an out-ball to the left flank.
Decent shift from the Frenchman.
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Douglas Luiz – 8
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
In a game against a high-intensity pressing team, Luiz was tasked with keeping things calm in the midfield. He did so, and linked up with the attacking players quite well, too.
Had a decent dead-ball attempt from a free kick that tested the keeper, and didn’t really put a foot wrong!
John McGinn – 7
Rating contribution from lvan McDouall
Initially seemed like this wasn’t the game for him, with the back and forth of Leeds’ play seeming to pass him by.
Inevitably he grew into the game and as Villa pressed forward, forced a fine stop from Meslier and saw a great opportunity flash past the post.
In an evolving – and we hope, successful Villa team, we need to see how his role evolves and where he sits within Gerard’s plan. Solid set pieces and the usually committed challenges
Jacob Ramsey – 7
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
Not in the game to start with and failed to find Ollie who was in a fantastic position. Like Mings he improved as the half went on.
After seeming to forget how to drive forward in recent games he really became an engine again and drove the team forwards. Full of energy throughout and a credit to the team. I expect in him the England set up later this month.
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Danny Ings – 8
Rating contribution from Ivan McDouall
Ings worked so hard for the team and engages well in the current system.
Should have a lot of credit for the first-half chance where he rose above the Leeds defence but ultimately struggled to hit the target.
Superb vision and awareness for assisting Matty Cash’s goal.
A very invested and committed option and involved in the goals and chances created. Developing relationship with Ollie and Coutinho will only bear fruit as the team moves forward.
Always willing to track back and win balls. Solid.
Phillipe Coutinho – 8.5
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
Villa’s special little magician sparkles once again with his magical feet and tricky turns. Opening the scoresheet in the first half, once again we saw Coutinho pulling the strings for Villa on the attack, completely tearing Leeds’ midfield and defence apart.
Great to see him kickstart his away form. Seemed to tire slightly earlier tonight but more than proved himself and he has Villa fans all over the world in awe.
Ollie Watkins – 8
Rating contribution from Gary Plaza
What’s great to see lately is the forwards efforts in and out of possession! This goes to Ollie, Ings and Coutinho they are everywhere. Unlucky not to get a shot away after superb work on the wing.
Another superb showing in the second half pressing from the front. It’s now 10 games for Ollie against Leeds and he is still yet to score but after that team performance I doubt he’s fussed!
Substitutions
Morgan Sanson – 7
on for Ings (71th minute) – Little opportunity to impress or influence but reassuring that he is clearly on Gerard’s radar and seen as a squad option. Whether that is enough for him remains to be seen.
Emi Buendia – 6
on for Coutinho (76th minute) – Unreal to be bring talent like Buendia off the bench – injected energy to the closing stages.
Ashley Young – N/A
on for Douglas Luiz (86th minute)
Subs not used | Robin Olsen, Ezri Konsa, Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey, Carney Chukwuemeka, Tim Iroegbunam.
Goals
Leeds United | N/A
Aston Villa | Coutinho (22), Cash (66), Chambers (73).
Opposition
Leeds United | Meslier; Dallas; Ayling, Struijk, Firpo; Koch, Forshaw (Klich, 66); Raphinha, Harrison (Bamford, 59); Rodrigo (Gelhardt, 46), James.
Subs not used | Klaesson, Llorente, Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Shackleton.
THE BOSS
ASTON VILLA PLAYER REACTION
UP NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA
West Ham (A) | Sunday 13th March 2022 | 14:00
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