Aston Villa player ratings after limp Premier League draw at Bournemouth
Villa's recent run of poor form continued on the south coast and Unai Emery needs to find the answer quickly
Aston Villa dropped yet more Premier League points thanks to a tame 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth.
Villa started slowly again but looked dangerous after they rallied and nicked the first goal of the game. They controlled the midfield in the first half, during which Bournemouth’s Alex Scott had a fair bit of the ball but usually in front of Villa’s central pair.
Emery’s team had to work hard off the ball for a spell early in the second half. Bournemouth got their equaliser in that spell and Villa were second best from that point.
Make no mistake: these were points dropped. A more polished performance wins this game. Not wilting after the equaliser and going ragged all over the pitch wins this game.
This week, there’s nobody else to blame.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Made a smart double save early on to keep out Eli Junior Kroupi and Evanilson. He had to do it again in the first half, with Evanilson reacting quickest to a parried shot. Passing was a mixed bag but he delivered some nice balls into feet. Saved well from Ryan Christie with 11 minutes remaining.
Matty Cash - 6
Flashed a fine pass across goal with his first attacking involvement. Athletic throughout and had the pace to get back quickly when required as well as the ability to make the challenge. Forced a fingertip save just after the hour.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Fabulous goal-line clearance after Martínez was lobbed by Kroupi. It was a painful one and Kroupi was offside anyway.
Tyrone Mings - 6
Defended on the front foot, looking to dominate Evanilson in the air and when the striker had his back to goal. One or two slightly iffy moments as Bournemouth built the pressure after the break.
Lucas Digne - 6
Combative and proactive at left-back and provided some great service into the box. Too passive for Rayan’s equaliser and it was a costly mistake.
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Douglas Luiz - 6
Another assured display but less influential after the break. Drifted into wide areas behind advanced full-backs to keep the play moving. Always willing to put a foot in. Substituted late.
Amadou Onana - 7
The outstanding central presence in the game in the first period. Composed and effective in possession. Good on the cover. Blocked Scott’s shot after six minutes and won a big defensive header a minute later, not for the last time from a long throw-in. Made a number of interventions in the Villa box.
Emi Buendía - 6
Barely involved in the first quarter but his quality of pass was evident when he got on the ball in the Bournemouth half. Determined effort in the middle of the first half to feed Jadon Sancho. More effective when he was able to shift inside and link play in the middle.
Booked for his part in a first-half altercation and substituted in the middle of the second half.
Jadon Sancho - 7
Tricky footwork in the final third promised to be a good weapon. Linked up beautifully with Morgan Rogers, including a glorious interchange for Rogers’ goal that made it 1-0 to Villa. A major contributor out of possession again, and in every part of the pitch. Substituted late.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Played with attacking urgency from the start, keen to get on the ball and determined to carry it upfield. Nice work and a dangerous pass for Ollie Watkins’ disallowed goal. Thrashed in the unstoppable opening goal after an immaculate exchange with Sancho.
Ollie Watkins - 5
Started the game with fire in his belly, put in a useful defensive shift and contributed some neat touches. Looked a little sharper from kick-off and more like himself in his hold-up play. Tapped in a disallowed goal after 20 minutes. Far too quiet in the middle part of the second half.
Substitutes
Leon Bailey (for Buendía, 66) - Unable to affect anything with Villa hanging on for a point. 5
Ian Maatsen (for Sancho, 77) - Late substitute. N/A
Ross Barkley (for Luiz, 77) - Late substitute. N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Digne, 86) - Late substitute. N/A
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 86) - Late substitute. N/A