Aston Villa player ratings as Ollie Watkins ignites Premier League comeback win at Brighton
Villa's 4-3 win at the Amex Stadium took Unai Emery's men into the top three
2-0 down and as flat as a pancake after half an hour, Aston Villa’s winning run seemed destined to be coming to an end on the south coast.
Villa, somehow, returned home with three massive points.
They stumbled back to parity at half time before bursting into life in the second half with their best 45 minutes of the Premier League season. They even threw in a nervy last few minutes to give everyone their money’s worth.
Here are the ratings:
Marco Bizot - 6
A surprise inclusion after Emiliano Martínez pulled up during the warm-up and he looked hugely ill-prepared early on, getting nowhere near an early corner which allowed Jan Paul van Hecke to bundle in at the back post.
He’ll never be as confident as Martínez in possession but grew in composure as the game continued. He secured the win with a sharp late save from Danny Welbeck’s header.
Matty Cash - 7
Offered a key outlet as a Martínez-less backline struggled with the press early on. Like the whole defence, he was caught high up the pitch for Brighton’s second goal. As Villa grew into the game, he allowed very little down his side and combined well with Evann Guessand going forward.
Ezri Konsa - 7
A typically calm head in a world of madness. Konsa’s distribution was as reliable as ever and he hit the bar as the away end celebrated in first-half injury time. Apparently he only got fouled twice; it felt like 20 times.
Pau Torres - 8
Made up for an unlucky own goal by single-handedly dragging Villa forward at 2-0 down. Torres played a crucial role in slipping Ian Maatsen in to set up Villa’s opener. With Martínez missing, his handling of the press was vital.
Ian Maatsen - 7
Presumably picked for his pace against Yankuba Minteh and despite the winger having plenty of the ball, Villa’s left-back kept a lid on his threat. Did plenty of the hard work to set up Ollie Watkins’ first goal at a time when Villa didn’t look like creating anything.
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Amadou Onana - 7
Looked miles off it as Villa struggled early on but grew into the game in the second half, driving Villa forward, putting them in front with his header from a corner and shutting down plenty of attacks with four tackles, four clearances and seven ball recoveries. When he’s good, as he was for 45 minutes, he’s very good.
Boubacar Kamara - 6
Much like Onana, Kamara started slowly and grew into it. Wasn’t able to enforce his will onto the game with or without the ball but did enough to bring Villa back into the match.
Evann Guessand - 6
The bloke behind me only realised Guessand was playing at half time as he was a bystander during the first half, much to Emery’s frustration. Came out after half time a different player, and became a surprising menace going forwards. Forced a good Bart Verbruggen save with a header before Malen bundled home the rebound.
John McGinn - 6
Exactly the man you want captaining your side at 2-0 down. McGinn wasn’t at his best but his leadership was crucial to keep Villa heads in it during a difficult first half. Seemed to spend the whole game chatting to the referee while waiting for VAR to spin its wheel of random decisions.
Morgan Rogers - 8
The only Villa player to look like doing anything in the first half, Rogers looks back to his best. He was a crucial outlet going forward and worked hard off the ball. For the second season in a row at Brighton, Rogers produced a beautiful long-ball assist, setting Watkins on his way to equalise.
Ollie Watkins - 9
After 24 hours of Watkins’ knee dominating discussion, Villa’s striker also looked back to his best at the Amex Stadium.
Two smart finishes brought Villa back into the game when they looked out of it, his header back into the danger zone created the fourth, and he never allowed Lewis Dunk and Van Hecke a moment’s peace.
Substitutes
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 71) - Kept Minteh mostly quiet for the last 20 minutes. 6
Youri Tielemans (for Kamara, 71) - Tidy in possession and fierce out of it. An important cameo. 7
Donyell Malen (for McGinn, 77) - Came on and scored with his first touch before running around a lot. 7
Emi Buendía (for Watkins, 86) - Late substitute. N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Guessand, 86) - Late substitute. N/A
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