Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery's team defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup
Villa's third round win came courtesy of a stellar first half and a gritty second
Aston Villa defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 for the second time this season to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Villa faced lots of early fouls that disrupted their efforts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Spurs could have had two yellow cards in the first four minutes. João Palhinha’s foul that injured Boubacar Kamara was a clear yellow but Villa weren’t fazed at all.
They dominated the first half against a Spurs team who were awful before the break, but let them back in early in the second half. Villa had to deal with some pressure after Spurs pulled a goal back but managed to get a foot on the ball late in the game to make sure of the result.
Here are the ratings:
Marco Bizot - 7
Calm and patient on the ball. Safe handling when called upon in the first few quarter of an hour. None of Spurs’ few shots on target really stretched him until the 53rd minute when he saved well from Xavi Simons shortly before they pulled one back, after which his workload got a little tougher.
Matty Cash - 7
Clattered early by Simons but settled easily into the game. Tested Guglielmo Vicario with a well-struck 25-yarder from a corner just after Villa took the lead. Completely solid. Substituted late.
Ezri Konsa - 8
Typically composed with the ball and read the danger well. Utterly assured at centre-back with and without the ball. The best defender on the pitch without having to hit top gear.
Pau Torres - 7
Willing to get forward to get involved in the play and make things happen. Totally competent in possession but largely restrained due to Villa’s first-half lead. Did some fine defensive work when required but there was a bit of ring rust in evidence.
Ian Maatsen - 7
Quickly on the front foot out on the left. Smartly got back to intercept a long free kick from Spurs after a handball in their box after 20 minutes. Tidy enough two-way display, albeit arguably slightly at fault for the 2-1 goal for Spurs. Substituted late.
Our Holy Trinity of conclusions for this match will be available tomorrow for paid AVR subscribers. Upgrade now for wraparound match coverage and other features for just £4 per month.
Lamare Bogarde - 7
Linked well with John McGinn in tight spaces. Villa played through the full-backs often in the first half so Bogarde didn’t see loads of the ball but he showed for it well and used it nicely too.
Made several reads to intercept the ball including the one that set up Villa’s second goal, and grew in confidence and ambition. Outmuscled as Spurs pulled a goal back and gave the ball away in a dangerous spot at 2-1.
Boubacar Kamara - N/A
Immediately set about getting turned on the ball from Bizot and driving through midfield. Kicked out of the game after three minutes.
John McGinn - 8
Started the game well with some incisive passing in the Spurs half. Outstanding pass into Donyell Malen to make the goal that put Villa in front. Buzzed around the middle third, looked after the ball and kept Villa progressing. Substituted with 25 minutes left.
Morgan Rogers - 8
Showed graft and tenacity when dropping into midfield to get on the ball at times in the first half. Constantly menacing in the final third, looking to create and score at all times. Held the ball up well. Gorgeous low finish to make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Emi Buendía - 8
Played with a bit of fluidity between himself and Rogers, allowing him to drift inside and move the ball on quickly in the middle, which was his default setting and Villa really benefited. Put in a couple of cracking tackles early in the second half.
Thrashed in a brilliant opening goal and claimed a sensational assist for a wonderful second from Rogers. Had a possible second goal cleared off the line at 2-1. Yellow carded in the middle of the second period.
Donyell Malen - 7
Looked a threat from the start, getting on the ball infrequently but always lively and willing to be robust and direct when he did get it. Brilliant forward play to set up Buendía to make it 1-0 and again for the 2-0 goal from Rogers. Substituted with 25 minutes to go.
Substitutes
Youri Tielemans (for Kamara, 9) - Replaced the injured Kamara a few minutes into the game and took it in stride. Made crucial recovery runs in transition to get Villa defensively set after losing the ball. Threaded a pass for Malen that won a corner just after Villa made it 1-0. Booked for a foul on Simons. 7
Jadon Sancho (for McGinn, 64) - Took a while to get involved but started to have a really positive impact around the Spurs box and when coming in from the left. 7
OIlie Watkins (for Malen, 64) - Sloppy start with Spurs battling out of possession. 5
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 78) - Late substitute. N/A
Andrés García (for Cash, 78) - Late substitute. N/A