Aston Villa player ratings as McGinn and Watkins bag a Premier League win over West Ham United
Villa won 2-0 against West Ham to improve their Champions League chances
Three sorely needed points arrived with perfect timing for Aston Villa, who won 2-0 at Villa Park for the second time in four days to rejuvenate their mood.
Villa took advantage of the points dropped by everyone around them in the fight for Champions League places, closing the gap on third-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table.
Unai Emery’s men imposed themselves on the match against West Ham United and it suited them. It was effective, too, and we can only hope to see much more of it on the other side of the international break.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Little to do but got off his line sharply when needed and was good with his feet. Always ready to release the ball when it makes sense and looked to have helped Villa win a penalty with another long pass out of the back; VAR overturned.
Matty Cash - 7
Full of energy in a typically polished two-way full-back performance. Not asked to provide a great deal of attacking width, with Morgan Rogers tucking in on the left to allow Lucas Digne to attack on the outside. Shot over the angle from 25 yards early in the second half.
Ezri Konsa - 8
Handy front-post defending on the one occasion when Cash was outwitted. Alive to crosses into the box and had the extra gear required when something a bit special was needed. Crisp and simple passing for the most part but willing to play the ball progressively into feet in the second half.
Pau Torres - 7
Comfortable but important defending throughout. Patient and bold with his passing out of the back. Villa’s offside line was faultless again and it’s not a coincidence.
Lucas Digne - 7
Drew a save from Mads Hermansen with a thumping shot that was arcing just wide inside the first ten minutes. Defended well against Jarrod Bowen and headed clear under pressure at the back post at 1-0.
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Amadou Onana - 9
Sublime. Decision-making was immaculate. Played a beautiful pass up the gut for Rogers early on, one of many spot-on passes to go with a titanic performance out of possession. Started the move for Villa’s second goal with a brilliant tackle. Should have scored with his head after 20 minutes.
Ross Barkley - 7
Very smart performance from a player with pedigree – positioning, passing and putting a foot in where it mattered. Nearly fired a rocket into the top corner from outside the box. Substituted in the middle of the second half.
Jadon Sancho - 7
Zipped a fantastic pass across goal for Ollie Watkins in the sixth minute. Played his part in John McGinn’s opening goal with a perfect pass along the edge of the box. A growing creative force in the Villa team but also consistently offered defensive reinforcement for Cash. Some of his touches were top-class. Substituted in the middle of the second half.
John McGinn - 8
Superb once again. Always showing for a pass and impossible to play against with and without the ball. Scored the first goal, curling in a stunner from a free kick routine that started on the Villa left. Substituted in the middle of the second half.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Lively and dangerous, and packed the usual quick feet that West Ham couldn’t live with. Terrific passing at times and ball-carrying was a constant danger. His run and shot made the second goal for Watkins. Substituted after 77 minutes of reminding us what he’s capable of in a more dynamic Villa team.
Ollie Watkins - 7
Looked keen and confident and eager to get his shots away, and he’s a handful when he’s at it. Held the ball up well and linked up more cohesively with Sancho, McGinn and Rogers. Scored Villa’s second goal with a poacher’s finish. Could have had a couple more to cap a really good performance that saw him come out on top despite an impressive afternoon from Konstantinos Mavropanos. Substituted late.
Substitutes
Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, 67) - Slotted right back into the midfield seamlessly. 7
Youri Tielemans (for McGinn, 67) - Returned from injury off the bench and his first involvement was a clever turn to start a move that might have culminated in a third goal. 7
Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 67) - Involved in some attacking play on the right with Cash but was easy to defend against. 5
Emi Buendía (for Rogers, 77) - Late substitute. N/A
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 87) - Late substitute. N/A