Aston Villa suffered their second defeat of the season losing 3-0 against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday.
Read my post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ – 6
“The World Cup-winning goalkeeper returned to the starting eleven after missing the wins against Burnley and Hibernian. There was nothing Emiliano could have done to prevent the goals. He finished the game making two saves, claiming one high cross, and having 79% pass success.”
EZRI KONSA – 6.5
“Konsa again started in the hybrid right-back position until the injury to Diego Carlos saw Villa return to a back two. Konsa did his best to solidify Villa’s disoriented backline, making three clearances, blocking three shots, and making two interceptions.”
DIEGO CARLOS – N/A
“Went off early injured, which effected Villa’s game plan; Liverpool were rampant while we attempted to adjust to the loss.”
Leon Bailey, on for Carlos, 20 minutes: One great link-up play with Diaby on the counter but that was the only highlight on a tough afternoon for the Jamaican, who was subbed on, then subbed off (for Zaniolo). 5
Nicolo Zaniolo on for Bailey, 68′: Some nice turns, and changes of pace, but the game was dead by the time of his introduction. 6
PAU TORRES – 5
“A tough afternoon for the Spaniard as he was given an introduction to the pace of a top level Premier League opposition; relentlessly harassed by Salah, Nunez, and co. It’s difficult to get up-to-speed in a new division with the current disruption we’ve had in our backline. Bad day, but plenty of better days to come“.
LUCAS DIGNE – 6
“As with the rest of the defence, he struggled to replicate his good form heading into this game. Digne did have a xA of 0.23 after his cross should have resulted in an attempt on goal, but neither Bailey nor Watkins took responsibility for the ball into the box”.
“Digne only won 4 of his 7 ground duals and lost out to Salah at the back post as the striker poked home Liverpool’s third”.
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MATTY CASH – 6
“Started in the right-wing position after his goal-scoring exploits against Burnley last weekend, but was shifted to right-back in a reshuffle following Carlos’ injury. Unfortunately for Cash and Villa, Liverpool’s second came from a Cash own goal; the ball rebounded off him after Darwin Nunez’s shot crashed off the post”.
“Cash did force Allison into a reactive stop with a header in the second-half, but the Brazilian preserved his clean sheet”
DOUGLAS LUIZ – 6
“Alongside Kamara in the double pivot, the duo struggled to get to grips with Liverpool’s new-look midfield. The Brazilian was still clean and tidy in possession, finishing with 93% passing success, completing 40 of his 43 passes, but had nearly 10 fewer passes than against Burnley.
Youri Tielemans, on for Luiz, 73 minutes: Added composure to the Villa midfield for the closing stages. 6
BOUBACAR KAMARA – 5.5
“Struggled physically against the intense Liverpool press in midfield, losing possession on six occasions and finishing with an 88% passing success rate, which is rare for the French anchor man; one of many in claret and blue to have an off-day”.
JOHN MCGINN – 5
“On another day, John McGinn rips the back of the net after a delightful Villa move presented the Villa Captain with an opening to get Villa back into the game, but on this occasion, the Scotsman fired over Allison’s goal. Summing up Villa’s day!”
“McGinn also struggled in possession; wastefully losing the ball twelve times; finishing with 67% pass success from his 30 attempted passes”.
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MOUSSA DIABY – 7.5
“A positive from today was the sparks of play from Moussa Diaby, particularly the excellent work in the build-up to McGinn’s opportunity”.
“It’s early days and partnerships are building – once they mature Diaby will be key to our attacking phase”.
OLLIE WATKINS – 5
“Minimal impact today; not helped by a lack of service”
“Important cog in the Emery system but will be desperate for his first Premier League of the season when the league resumes after the international break”.
Jhon Duran, on for Watkins 73 minutes: Lashed two efforts wildly wide as he found a bit of space down the left hand side; won a stare down against Joe Gomez in Villa’s only win! 5
Subs not used: Olsen, Lenglet, Chambers, Dendoncker, Kellyman.
THE OPPOSITION | LIVERPOOL
Alisson Becker, Alexander-Arnold (Quansah 71′), Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Endo 87′), Jones (Elliott 65′), Mohamed Salah, Núñez (Gakpo 65′), Díaz (Diogo Jota 65′)
Subs: Endo, Gakpo, Elliott, Diogo Jota, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Doak, Kelleher, Quansah
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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Ryan Mckeown – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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