Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery's team fluff their lines in Premier League loss against Fulham
A disjointed display from Villa put pressure on their Champions League hopes and knocked their Europa League semi-final preparations
Aston Villa have rediscovered their ability to win football matches in recent weeks but what they’re not is the finished article. They’re neither reliable nor anything like as punchy an away team as they were at their best.
Villa need two Premier League wins to guarantee Champions League football next season and missed their first chance to halve that number by losing at Fulham on Saturday.
Ryan Sessegnon scored the only goal of a game in which Villa had most of the ball but mustered one shot on target from ten attempts, turning an expected goals (xG) value of 0.93 into an xG on target (xGOT) of 0.07.
In other words, they couldn’t finish their dinner. With big games to come, that has the potential to be a real problem even if I’m inclined to write it off as a tame day at the office for now.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 6
Well positioned to save from Raúl Jiménez, albeit the striker would have been ruled offside. Made a save immediately before the goal so was out of commission when Sessegnon finished the chance.
Matty Cash - 4
Limited impact in attack despite consistently making angles high on the right, but did some useful one-on-one defending until Oscar Bobb had him on toast. Drawn into midfield when Fulham broke for their goal, then ran past Sessegnon in an effort to get back, leaving the rebound unchallenged.
Decent with the ball but needed his goalkeeper to bail him out after a poor pass in the second half.
Ezri Konsa - 5
Made some important blocks with Fulham looking dangerous in their left channel with the score at 0-0.
Pau Torres - 4
Read the first real threat well to tidy up close to his own goal but allowed a shot on target with a risky pass into midfield that was picked off. Longer passing not up to his usual standards and struggled to keep tabs on Fulham’s sharp attackers at times.
Lucas Digne - 4
Misread a challenge with Harry Wilson early in the second half. Unable to connect with his crosses on an afternoon of generally poor output from the team.
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Lamare Bogarde - 3
Drafted in to deputise for injured midfielder Amadou Onana and the drop in match impact was clear to see. Comfortable enough when afforded time and space but lacked composure under pressure. Outmuscled in a midfield battle dominated by Fulham. Substituted as part of Unai Emery’s quadruple substitution.
Youri Tielemans - 5
Good quality on the ball but unable to prevent Fulham from controlling the midfield in Onana’s absence. Part of the quadruple substitution.
John McGinn - 4
Barely got a kick in the first half but managed to win a few free kicks. Picked Morgan Rogers out with a great pass late in the first half but delivery into the box wasn’t quite at it. One of four changes made with quarter of an hour to go.
Morgan Rogers - 5
Made a very sloppy start in possession but pressed smartly in the early part of the game. Cut in well after half an hour but couldn’t hit the target. Plugged away but never seemed to get into his stride.
Emi Buendía - 4
Did his usual ratting without the ball and linked nicely with one-touch passing in the thick of midfield. Fired Villa’s first shot well wide. Final pass on the break was short of quality and he took some silly risks with the ball in the middle. Substituted with 16 minutes left.
Ollie Watkins - 5
Shot on target after ten minutes but it was an easy read for Bernd Leno. Provided lots of really good hold-up play and created a shot for himself late in the first half that nearly hit the target.
Substitutes
Douglas Luiz (for Bogarde, 74) - Tidy in midfield. Scruffy in the final third. 4
Ross Barkley (for McGinn, 74) - Got on the ball in the Fulham half and looked to provide some quality in possession. 4
Jadon Sancho (for Tielemans, 74) - A couple of bright touches in attacking areas but unable to make the breakthrough. 4
Leon Bailey (for Buendía, 74) - Arguably his best little cameo since he returned from Italy but that’s not saying much. 4
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 81) - Late substitute. N/A