Aston Villa player ratings as Tammy Abraham goal rescues a Premier League point against Leeds United
Villa conceded the first goal again and had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home
The days of Villa Park being impenetrable feel like a long time ago and the damage done by a spate of midfield injuries this season is becoming painfully clear.
Aston Villa gave themselves a boost by grabbing a late point against Leeds United but there are improvements to be made when it comes to rebuilding their home record. The second half of this draw provided some clues as to what to do and, crucially, what not to do.
Manager Unai Emery has done plenty to earn the trust of Villa supporters but he certainly has his ways. The compromise and pragmatism required to make the necessary decisions now won’t come easy, but they’re becoming too clear to ignore.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Out smartly to smother Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the first quarter of an hour. Forced to go long a little more frequently than he’d have liked. The passes weren’t bad in their own right but they were difficult to turn into possession high up the pitch – Martínez’s decision-making in those situations was spot on more often than not.
Anton Stach’s free kick to make it 1-0 was sensational and, for me, doesn’t go down as a Martínez error. Saved beautifully from Lukas Nmecha in the second half.
Matty Cash - 8
Progressive passing but the impact was limited by Leon Bailey in front of him. Defended on the front foot. Looked to provide some excellent service from the right, notably from deeper positions, and with both feet. Looks increasingly comfortable playing at a very high level, demonstrating polish as well as fire.
Ezri Konsa - 8
Some essential contributions on the cover and his one-on-one defending in and around the Villa box was excellent. Relaxed on the ball at the back. Near enough spotless but not overly stretched. Won the header that made Villa’s goal.
Tyrone Mings - 7
The Pau Torres conundrum continues. Mings is a terrific defender and usually composed with the ball but he doesn’t have the same killer pass as Torres, though he did get into a couple of shooting positions. Beaten in the air in the build-up to a Leeds corner early in the game.
Not a crosser on this evidence but often willing to drive into midfield with the ball.
Ian Maatsen - 6
Plugged away on the left, full of attacking intent but unable to have a telling input. Determined in the tackle throughout the game.
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
Read the game well and interrupted play. Looked very tidy when taking the ball off the defence and turning to drive through midfield, picking out a few good mid-range passes for good measure. Should have scored from close range in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Substituted on the hour.
Douglas Luiz - 7
Another step up as he regains match fitness. Getting back to his best as a confident, head-up, ball-playing midfield passer.
Leon Bailey - 4
Too often untidy in possession. Touch was poor throughout and unpredictability doesn’t work when Bailey’s the first person confused by it. Too many attacks broke down at his feet. Wasted a shot on goal late in the first half. Substituted after an ineffective hour, moments after electing not to track back after losing the ball.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Rogers carries the ball well but looked at his most effective when linking up with teammates. Against defenders able to converge on him, he demonstrated a tendency to overdo it. Some of his first-time passes were phenomenal.
Full of hustle and bustle. When Cash looked to get beyond Bailey, Rogers naturally drifted out to cover behind.
Emi Buendía - 7
Wasted a chance to score or cross with goalkeeper Karl Darlow lost in the middle of the first half. Did well on the ball for the most part but the match-winning impact is started to elude him. He almost found it – his left-footed curler in the middle of the second half came back off the post as he stepped up after Villa’s first substitutions.
Made way for Tammy Abraham with quarter of an hour to go.
Ollie Watkins - 6
Started the game with some neat play back-to-goal but also a long way from it. Battled away with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk and tended to come out on top but never looked like scoring a goal, not even when he scuffed a one-on-one late in the first half.
Moved well and there was no issue with effort or attitude but Tammy Abraham coming on and scoring isn’t a good look in a team that plays with one striker.
Substitutes
Ross Barkley (for Onana, 61) - Excellent quality on the ball and quick feet got him out of dodge a couple of times. Fired over with 14 minutes left. Strong in the air. 7
Jadon Sancho (for Bailey, 61) - Immediately offered more of a threat on the right and simply has to start over Bailey. Delivered the corner for Villas goal. 6
Tammy Abraham (for Buendía, 75) - Joined Watkins in the lesser-spotted Villa front two and scored the late equalising goal, which he turned in smartly from Konsa’s header. 6
Andrés García (for Luiz, 87) - Late substitute. N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Cash, 87) - Late substitute. N/A