Aston Villa travelled to Carrow Road on the back of a spirited performance vs Liverpool. After recent worries of a depleted squad due to a Covid outbreak, it was uplifting to see only one change to the first team, Emi Buendia replacing the injured Marvelous Nakamba.
Let’s see how the fans rated our boys in Claret and Blue!
STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-3
Emi Martinez – 8
After a few grumblings of COVID worry, Martinez’s name on the team sheet was a big relief. He wasn’t troubled at all throughout the 90 minutes and made a series of routine saves to deny Norwich of any hope at all. Distribution was decent and made the right calls. Hannah Gowen
Matty Cash – 9
Had a good battle with Manchester United loanee Brandon Williams down the Villa right and, for the most part, won the war. Crossing needs some work, but the Pole flew forward and progressed play well throughout the game and impressed defensively too. Another fantastic performances from the full-back who is having quite the season in claret and blue. Liam Davies
Ezri Konsa – 7
Konsa began the game in a very quiet fashion but that is not necessarily a critique of Konsa’s performance but more of a criticism of Norwich’s as they failed to really mount a challenge for Konsa to deal with for large portions of the first half. One thing that I did pick up on though goes for all of the defence, not just Konsa, and that is that they were playing with a lot more attacking confidence.
On a couple of occasions Konsa made a run with the ball inside the oppositions half and the first time he did it was in the third minute which helped Villa signal their attacking intent for the start of the half. I thought Konsa started the second half clumsily after picking up a stupid yellow card which got Carrow Road buzzing however the composure he shows on the ball is a different class. Konsa really is a brilliant player and I believe it’s only a matter of time before Southgate comes calling. Ellis Burnett
Tyrone Mings 8
Solid performance on what was an easy night for our defense. Did brilliantly to deny Pukki a clear run at goal in the second half. A few great headers and that was his night.
A couple of errors when surging forwards to get in on the action. Really hard to rate players when the opposition offer so little! Great to get a clean sheet. Gary Plaza
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Matt Targett – 8
Very solid defensive and attacking performance from Matty Targett. Was assured at the back, covering well and mopped up where needed. He looks quite comfortable in his more advanced wing back position, getting forward and trying to cross balls and take on shots himself. Took down a few balls beautifully and had a decent shot towards goal on his weaker foot. Clean sheet! Hannah Gowen
Douglas Luiz – 6
Luiz was reverted back to his defensive midfielder duties in the absence of Nakamba and he dealt with it very well. He kept it simple and did what he needed to do, well. However, I had to dock him a couple of points because his set pieces left a lot to be desired today as he struggled to create anything from then. When McGinn took over we looked much more dangerous. Having said this, Luiz looks much fitter and his clever game sense towards the end of the game came in handy in securing the three points Ellis Burnett
John McGinn – 9
Same old John McGinn: full of energy and fight with the occasional touch of finesse. The Scot was my first-half man of the match with his intricate possessional play and non-stop tracking back. Gerrard highlighted the midfielders influence in the team both on and off the pitch, and despite subbing him off with minutes to go for Axel Tuanzebe, the Head Coach will be delighted once again with the number seven. Liam Davies
Jacob Ramsey – 8
Wow. What a goal. Jacob Ramsey released his inner Alan Hutton as he picked the ball up from his own half and drove into the opposition box before finishing the run off by slotting the ball home and blowing a kiss to the Claret and Blue Faithful. Lots of Villa’s attacking threat came through Ramsey and we are such a better team with Ramsey in it. Now that Ramsey is adding goals and assists to his game under Gerrard I believe he will get more recognition to just how good he is. Ellis Burnett
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Emi Buendia – 7
Another good outing although it was a sore one as he was certainly targeted by his former employers.
Great when under pressure in tight spaces. Found space well and continued to apply pressure from the front. Still more to come from Beundia so give him time. Gary Plaza
Ashley Young – 6
Certainly not his best game for Villa – didn’t look as sharp as he has been of late. Misplaced passes and sloppy touches were too frequent in Young’s first-half display, but the 35 year-old looked relatively solid in the 15 minutes he played in the second showing. Villa’s number 18 was replaced by striker Danny Ings, as he looks to make his third consecutive start against Burnley on Saturday. Liam Davies
Ollie Watkins – 9
Ollie, we love you. His work rate is unmatched in this Villa side. Tonight, he maintained his high-energy, press and desire game plan and did so well in earning and maintaining possession. Made a crucial pass from the ground to play in Ramsey for his goal, which sums up his determination. Scored the second to secure the game from a good Carney cross. An all round brilliant striker and so glad he is ours. Hannah Gowen
SUBS
Chukwumeka – 8 – We need to tie this kid down! Hopefully a mix of playing time and Gerrard’s guidance will make him stay. No fear from the moment he enters the pitch!Superb run at the defence before playing the perfect pass for Ollie to score. Gary Plaza
Danny Ings – 6.5 Glad to see Ings getting back to fitness, fully expect him to start on Saturday. Closing down was fantastic and what we need from him. Unlucky his first touch let him down when played through on goal. Gary Plaxa
Tuanzebe- N/A
GOALS
JACOB RAMSEY WONDER GOAL
OLLIE WATKINS 87
OPPOSITION
THE BOSS
UP NEXT
Burnley | Villa Park | Saturday 18th December 2021 | 15:00
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