Aston Villa player ratings as Emiliano Martínez inspires his team to a Europa League win against Lille
Villa's goalkeeper was integral to both goals in a 2-0 win that takes them into the quarter-finals
Three European quarter-finals in three seasons. According to Unai Emery, that was once the stuff of dreams but has now become the expectation. It’s also reality.
Aston Villa nailed the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Lille. This was by no means an easy assignment in the circumstances and Villa nailed it.
After a solid first half in which Villa had the best chance in the form of an Amadou Onana header, Lille came on strong early in the second half only for goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to turn a chance for the visitors into a home goal.
John McGinn scored it and substitute Leon Bailey added a second to put an extra bullet into a tie that was already dead.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 8
Didn’t need to handle the ball until the 40th minute and handled it well. Saved smartly from Nabil Bentaleb and immediately released the ball long for Jadon Sancho, making John McGinn’s goal for 1-0; a match getting cagey before it was cracked open by a goalkeeper.
Lamare Bogarde - 7
Formed an in-possession back three with the central defenders and was very cool with the ball in those defensive areas. Showcased his passing and carried the ball well on the few occasions when he took it up the wing. Substituted with 17 minutes left.
Victor Lindelöf - 7
The man in the mask played like what my friend would refer to as a seasoned campaigner at centre-back, defending confidently and passing with composure. Made an essential intervention in his own six-yard box very early in the second half.
Pau Torres - 6
Offered a more potent brand of passing out of defence and Villa looked a little better for it. Not always precise over distance but had the effect of making Lille work defensively close to their box. Sharp defending facing his own goal to help protect the lead on the night.
Ian Maatsen - 7
Sharp enough without the ball to win possession with interceptions high in the Villa half, getting the team moving forward. Strong one-on-one defending in the penalty area. Showed some excellent feet in tight situations on the touchline and brilliantly pulled in a long Torres pass in first-half stoppage time.
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Douglas Luiz - 7
Took a few risks with his passing but meshed nicely with Amadou Onana to help dictate the tempo in midfield. Played some useful balls and made key tackles and interceptions in the middle. Grew into the second half.
Amadou Onana - 7
Anchored the midfield with and without the ball, giving Luiz alongside him licence to play. Kept Bogarde protected by being ready to receive the ball and always being available to cover on the right. Forced an outstanding save from the goalkeeper with a fantastic header from a corner late in the first half.
John McGinn - 7
Played from the left with Maatsen overlapping and was Villa’s driving force when able to get turned in midfield, where he also spent plenty of time in an all-action performance full of the usual McGinn stuff. Wonderful finish to make it 1-0 on the night. Substituted with 17 minutes left.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Superb threaded pass for Sancho in the first few minutes and again later in the first half, giving Villa a renewed energy in transition. Some great examples of him dropping a shoulder, beating a man and playing a pass into the channels. Substituted late.
Jadon Sancho - 7
Caused problems for Lille from the start by being direct and incisive. Always looking to get in behind to land those Rogers passes, which became Villa’s likeliest threat.
Ran the ball straight out of play with the pitch opening up in the first few minutes of the second half but soon made a fabulous run in behind to make McGinn’s opening goal. Later thumped the post from an identical position.
Dropped into a back five when Alex Sandro had the ball on the Lille left and gave him plenty to think about going the other way. Occasionally sparkling. Substituted late.
Tammy Abraham - 5
Played with some dynamism and graft out of possession, nicked a few balls off dawdling midfield players and won some early headers, but Villa striker is not an easy position from which to get involved in a football match. Not always on the same wavelength as Rogers when it came to quick passing in the final third.
Substituted early in the second half.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins (for Abraham, 56) - On for Abraham with 35 minutes to go. Came on looking energised and dangerous, aided by Villa taking the lead just before he was introduced. Sprung the offside line to set up a late goal for Leon Bailey. 7
Emi Buendía (for McGinn, 74) - Played a limited role with Villa in front but was instrumental in the second goal. 6
Matty Cash (for Bogarde, 74) - Came on and got acquainted with Olivier Giroud when the striker peeled wide. 5
Harvey Elliott (for Rogers, 84) - Late substitute. N/A
Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 84) - Late substitute. N/A