Aston Villa player ratings as Tammy Abraham rescues two points in breathless win over Sunderland
Villa were 3-1 up and comfortable but needed a stoppage time winner after coughing up the lead
Unai Emery headed back down the Villa Park touchline a relieved man after watching his team throw away a 3-1 lead against Sunderland in the Premier League and win the game anyway.
Aston Villa looked comfortable. The teams exchanged early goals and there wasn’t much between them until Villa made it 2-1 late in the first half. They scored again just sixty seconds after the break but Sunderland’s late double almost ruined their day.
Ezri Konsa and substitute Jadon Sancho got mixed up to let the Black Cats back into the game and Villa were sucker-punched before Tammy Abraham won it in stoppage time.
There were some weird throw-in decisions from both assistant referees and no consistency on fouls from the man in the middle either, but Villa would have spent the next few days kicking themselves. Instead, relief abounds.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Well beaten by Sunderland’s equaliser but otherwise enjoyed a comfortable enough afternoon until the late collapse. Made one strong save at 3-1 but slipped for Sunderland’s third. More than made up for it with a great stop at 3-3.
Matty Cash - 7
Perfect clipped pass for John McGinn to set up the opening goal for Ollie Watkins. Got forward well and linked nicely with the captain. Positive one-on-one defending and was able to play within himself in the second half.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Tidy in possession and read the play well at the back. Put his longer passing on display to find Ian Maatsen wide on the left. Didn’t have a great deal to do from a defensive point of view but did everything well until the miscommunication with Jadon Sancho that changed the game.
Tyrone Mings - 7
Settled in nicely with a couple of early headers and picked Maatsen out with a clever long pass in the middle of the first half. Largely smooth defensively and Brian Brobbey never had a kick. Shot on target from close range late in the game.
Ian Maatsen - 6
Struggled with Chris Rigg on a couple of occasions early on and didn’t do nearly enough to stop Habib Diarra in the build-up to Rigg’s goal, but grew into the task. Delivery in the final third was short of quality until he put the ball on Watkins’ head for Villa’s second. Replaced by Lucas Digne with 20 minutes left.
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.
Amadou Onana - 6
Arguably slightly on his heels for Sunderland’s equaliser but made a huge block to prevent Noah Sadiki getting another one, albeit one that would have been ruled out. Headed against the crossbar from a McGinn corner and should really have scored.
Moved the ball well in the middle and got about the pitch but wasn’t quite at his recent levels.
Ross Barkley - 7
Formed a front two with Watkins out of possession. Keen to drive on through midfield with the ball and offered some quality in possession at times when Villa needed to keep it. Heavily involved in Villa’s third. Able to nick the ball in some key moments in the Villa half.
Substituted with 20 minutes remaining.
John McGinn - 8
Sensational run in behind and lobbed cross to the back post for the early opener. Superb feet to win a free kick after quarter of an hour and used the ball productively throughout. Brilliant play to help set up the third goal and was a constant threat in attacking areas. Went off with ten minutes left.
Youri Tielemans - 7
Some big contributions tracking back and facing his own goal and started to get on the ball regularly in the middle of the first half. Good anticipation and drive in the second period.
Morgan Rogers - 8
Starting position on the left as a result of Barkley’s role. Not involved at all in the first 35 minutes but as soon as he started to get on the ball he caused big problems. Helped to make Watkins’ second goal and tucked Villa’s third in 60 seconds into the second half, during which he looked at his very best at times.
Ollie Watkins - 9
Incredible. Headed home in the second minute to put Villa in front and late in the first half to make it 2-1. Worked hard to regain possession on the counter-press when it was a possibility, just one part of some excellent centre-forward play that also included a sensational assist for Rogers. Substituted with ten to go.
Substitutes
Emi Buendía (for Barkley, 70) - Good graft and sharp feet. Tested Robin Roefs with a dipping volley from 20 yards. 6
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 70) -Slotted back into the side with no issues and little direct impact, then curved in a glorious cross for Tammy Abraham’s winner in stoppage time. 7
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 79) - Late substitute. N/A
Jadon Sancho (for McGinn, 79) - Late substitute. N/A