Aston Villa player ratings as Champions League hopes are dented by a draw at Nottingham Forest
Villa led early at the City Ground but Neco Williams' equaliser meant they had to settle for a point
In a Premier League match that had no shortage of importance for Nottingham Forest or their visitors on Sunday afternoon, a 1-1 draw was perhaps a better result for one than the other.
Aston Villa didn’t start badly but they didn’t start brilliantly either, benefiting from an own goal to take the lead in the first half. Forest equalised in a manner they’d already served notice of, and the visitors then lost their way.
Villa saw a little more of the ball early in the second half but there was prolonged Forest pressure in a game that could have gone either way. Forest had some chances but Villa sent two shots over the top with the scores level in the second half, robbing themselves of a couple of points that were, ultimately, there to be won.
Here are the ratings:
Marco Bizot - 7
A late inclusion after the other goalkeeper pulled out injured again. Good hand to flick the ball away from the head of Igor Jesus but couldn’t do anything about Forest’s equalising goal. Made a fantastic save with his feet to prevent a Matty Cash own goal at 1-1.
Matty Cash - 6
Eager to have a say going forward and was nearly always available on the right. Booked after ten minutes but scrapped his way through 90 minutes. Stung the palms of Matz Sels late on.
Victor Lindelöf - 6
Cool on the ball and willing to travel forward in possession. Did some fine work on the cover.
Pau Torres - 6
Made an important block from Morgan Gibbs-White early in the game. Defending in the box was very useful. Consistently able to find Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers out wide but Villa seldom looked better than when he was able to break the lines more centrally in the first half.
Lucas Digne - 6
Combative in the early going and had to battle hard against both Gibbs-White and Omari Hutchinson. Final ball not quite there. Substituted in the last quarter of an hour.
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Ross Barkley - 6
Played off striker Ollie Watkins and joined him in Villa’s out-of-possession 4-4-2. Tidied his feet up well in the middle of the first half and picked out Rogers with a lovely incisive pass. Really good in the tackle. Substituted in the last 15 minutes.
Amadou Onana - 6
Cleaner and faster in possession than against Bologna, making him a formidable anchor for the team when they had the ball. Adept at keeping possession under pressure.
Youri Tielemans - 5
An important contributor without the ball in the opening minutes and tidy enough in the first half without having much of an impact. Tried his luck on the volley from the edge of the D but dragged it wide. Terrific pass to John McGinn for a first-time shot in the second half.
Gave up possession early in the second half but got away with it. Crucial block with a Williams shot heading for the bottom corner.
John McGinn - 7
Frequently dropped into pockets to receive the ball and was able to get turned quickly to connect with Cash. They worked well together, notably when Torres was passing long and McGinn blocked Neco Williams to allow Cash a free run at the ball. Excellent first-time passing and got Villa moving well. Forced the goalkeeper into a good low save.
Produced some superb destructive play but Williams was allowed to shoot too easily on the edge of the box more than once.
Morgan Rogers - 6
Played on the left and appeared happier with the ball than he has been in recent games. Looked a threat when he drifted in-field. Showed plenty of quality and imagination.
Zipped the ball across for the own goal that put Villa in front, then played a gorgeous wall pass in behind for Watkins barely a minute later. Nice movement in the box before clipping the crossbar in the first half. Should have scored in the middle of the second half but missed a sitter.
Grafted defensively with Digne facing a big challenge but far too sloppy in the lead-up to Williams’ goal. Substituted with 13 minutes left.
Ollie Watkins - 5
Made a crucial defensive clearance in the ninth minute. Beautifully timed run in the middle of the first half but Sels was off his line quickly to prevent Villa going 2-0 up. Lifted a shot over with 12 minutes left, shortly before he was substituted.
Substitutes
Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, 77) - Late substitute. N/A
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 78) - Late substitute. N/A
Emi Buendía (for Rogers, 78) - Late substitute. N/A
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 87) - Late substitute. N/A
Andrés García (for Cash, 90+1) - Late substitute. N/A