Aston Villa suffered defeat to Wolves as the two sides met at Molineux in the Premier League.
The hosts took an early lead through a Jonny goal on 7 minutes, and were two goals up before half-time curiosity of an Ashley Young own-goal.
An Ollie Watkins’ penalty reduce the deficit, but it was Wolves who took the 3 points. Disappointing.
STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-2-1
Emi Martinez – 5
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
A tough day for the No.1 who couldn’t do a thing about the two Wolves goals. Aside from these strikes, the Argentine had very little to do, bar a save deep into the second half that saw the shot-stopper deny Fabio Silva from range.
Martinez will hope his defence will do a better job at guarding his goal next time out against Tottenham Hotspur.
Matty Cash – 6
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
A quiet game for the reliable Polish international. Was posed a problem or two by Marcal early on, who crossed for the Wanderers’ second goal after Cash had been blocked off cleverly by Podence. As he has done so regularly in recent months, looked a real threat going the other way on the rare occasions that he got free up the field.
Should have found the leveller late on, but the impressive Jose Sa kept Cash out.
Ezri Konsa – 5
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
In the first ten minutes it seemed that Villa players forgot how to defend over the international break, a shambolic start which saw Konsa slip in the buildup to the first Wolves goal.
Konsa was part of a defence that really underwhelmed and let villa down today.
Tyrone Mings – 6
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Like his teammates, the skipper looked troubled early on. One of many Villa slips in the first half saw the captain lose the lively Fabio Silva but his finish was tame. Far from the worst player on the pitch though, Mings recovered to win a series of aerial duels and made some important interceptions.
Had a couple of half chances from corners but could not add to his international goal in the week as the Villa man was well marshalled in the air by the home side.
Lucas Digne – N/A
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
The full-back only lasts 12 minutes on his return to the side, despite playing a full 90 minutes for his national side France last week.
Steven Gerrard will hope the January signing’s time on the sideline will be short one, as he is once again replaced by Ashley Young at the back.
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Morgan Sanson – 5
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
The first ten minutes ghosted Sanson as he failed to offer Villa anything in terms of defending when Wolves piled on the pressure.
Whilst Sanson had somewhat of a quiet game there were elements of a composed midfielder with a future in the team as has been the case with most of his displays in a villa shirt, however, we need Sanson to piece together these impressive moments and put in a consistent display
John McGinn – 5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
One of John McGinn’s poorer performances for Villa although it was not for the want of trying. Looks a shadow of the man who smashes in goals regularly for Scotland when positioned in a deeper role at Villa. A costly slip set Wolves away for the opener and although he grew into the game in the second half, McGinn could not enact anywhere near the influence he usually holds over a match.
His best moments, unsurprisingly, came when getting on the turn and driving at the opposition and also in stopping Wolves’ breaks with sliding interventions. Surely Gerrard will learn that the Scottish Player of the Year is wasted in a deeper role.
Jacob Ramsey – 4
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
An underwhelming day for JJ, on the back of his expert display for the England U21 team during the international break.
The Young midfielder tried to progress play and run at the Wolves back-line, but was often prevented and couldn’t successfully link up with his creative comrade Coutinho to help his side back into the game.
Ramsey will have to do more heading into the remaining fixtures if he is to give Gareth Southgate a serious headache when deciding his England team for this year’s World Cup.
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Leon Bailey – 4
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
The Jamaican struggled to get on the ball for the opening 20-25 minutes of the game, but suddenly burst into life, firing a ferocious long-range strike at goal and forcing goalkeeper Jose Sa into a top save.
Bailey occasionally looked threatening down the Villa right and had a series of half chances, but ultimately failed to produce a killer ball or clinical strike at goal – an opportunity missed for the winger.
Phillipe Coutinho – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
Similarly to Sanson, Coutinho failed to really get a hold of the game in the first ten minutes when Villa were under attack, however he slowly grew into the game and was unfortunate not to win a penalty around the 20 minute mark after he was bought down by Boly.
A couple of half chances that forced Sa into action, but a relatively quiet game by the Brazilians standards as he struggled to create anything of significance.
His work on set pieces left a lot to be desired, summing up a disappointing performance.
Ollie Watkins – 5.5
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
After his goal scoring escapades for the national team, Watkins should have looked like a player brimming with confidence. Whilst he worked hard against three powerful centre backs and made some really clever runs in behind, the England man looked nervous when he finally got his big breaks in front of goal.
The creative players in behind left Watkins isolated at times, but the former Brentford forward had a handful of chances including two gilt-edged one-on-ones. He did make a brave run to win a late penalty, which he stuck away, but Watkins will feel he should have had another goal or two.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Ashley Young – 3
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
(on for Digne, 13th minute)
A dismal, dismal day for the veteran Villan who couldn’t inspire his side to improve upon entering the field of play on the 13 minute mark, after replacing the injured Lucas Digne.
The No.18, like his defensive teammates, was sloppy and unstable at the back and allowed the Wolves attack to pass through at every given opportunity. Young scored a pivotal own goal, sending the ball into Emi Martinez’ net with an attempted clearance header, in what proved to be the game winner for the hosts.
The versatile 36 year-old will look to rebound as he is expected to start the fixture at Villa Park next week in Digne’s absence.
Douglas Luiz – 4
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
(on for Sanson, 71st minute) Luiz hardly made much of an impact for me slotting in at defensive midfielder.
Emi Buendia – 6
Rating contribution from Ellis Burnett
(on for Coutinho, 73rd minute) when he came on Buendia provided a slightly more positive aspect to the game creating change for Watkins which ultimately lead to the penalty which Watkins dispatched. I think he’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t get a start next week.
Subs not used: Robin Olsen, Bertrand Traore, Calum Chambers, Carney Chukwuemeka, Tim Iroegbunam.
GOALS
Wolves | Jonny (7), Ashley Young own-goal (36)
Aston Villa | N/A
OPPOSITION
Wolves, 3-4-3: Sa; Boly, Coady, Kilman; Jonny, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Marcal; Trincao (Neto, 73), Fabio Silva (Fransico Oliveria, 90), Podence (Hwang Hee-Chan, 68).
Subs not used: Ruddy, Semedo, Ait-Nouri, Toti, Saiss, Cundle.
THE BOSS
FAN REPORT | HANNAH GOWEN
UP NEXT
Tottenham Hotspur | Villa Park | Saturday,m 9th April | Kick-off 5.30pm
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