Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery's team are beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League
Villa left themselves with a huge and self-inflicted problem that they must solve in seven days' time
Aston Villa have a mountain to climb if they’re to shake off a nasty habit of fumbling semi-finals. Nottingham Forest take a 1-0 lead into the second leg next week.
Villa started well but suffered when Forest turned this Europa League first leg into a Premier League match. Emiliano Martínez made an unbelievable save in the first half but a handball from Lucas Digne in the second literally handed the semi-final advantage to Forest.
Villa had a few moments but the final ball was consistently poor and they weren’t helped by a bizarre refereeing performance that allowed Ollie Watkins to be wrestled out of the game far too often.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 8
Composed with the ball at his feet and confident in his handling. Incredible, baffling save after half an hour to deny Igor Jesus a certain goal. No chance of stopping Chris Wood’s penalty.
Matty Cash - 6
Typically industrious performance on the right including a really good piece of tracking on the half-hour.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Made a vital block in the third minute and did well to protect the ball in an attacking area a few minutes later. Shut down Jesus in the middle of the second half with a chance appearing in front of him. Played a big part in one of Villa’s promising attacks with a pass in the channel for Cash.
Pau Torres - 6
Stepped in to pinch the ball from Igor Jesus with Forest building in the Villa defensive third early on. Read the game well and it was just as well with Lucas Digne up against a big threat on the outside.
Lucas Digne - 4
Villa’s preferred out-ball for much of the first half. Battled away to try and keep Omari Hutchinson at bay, supported by Emi Buendía. Gave away a penalty for a crazy handball after dithering under pressure from Jesus and cost Villa the first leg with two mistakes in one. Substituted inside the last quarter of an hour.
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.
Youri Tielemans - 5
Consistently good at progressing the ball and provided some essential defensive cover in transition. Occasionally on his heels enough to have the ball won off him from behind. Curled Villa’s first shot on target, saved by Stefan Ortega.
Booked in the second half for clobbering Elliot Anderson.
Amadou Onana - 6
Flew into tackles on his return from a short injury absence, occasionally with an unnecessary element of risk. Headed clear under pressure early in the second half but landed awkwardly and had to be withdrawn.
Villa didn’t miss him because of a direct impact but because of a presence, and it was there tonight.
John McGinn - 5
Loads of hustle and bustle in the early minutes in what was an unusually quiet display other than a few bursts. Neat passing in the Forest half to open out the play at times but was substituted late.
Emi Buendía - 6
Worked hard out of possession and helped to connect Villa’s attacking play but also took a few high-stakes risks with the ball in the Forest half – doesn’t always look good but it only takes one of them to pay off. Showed good in tight spots on a few occasions.
Made an important header to take the ball off Chris Wood’s head in the middle of the first half, immediately before holding the ball up on his own at the other end. Substituted with 12 minutes left.
Morgan Rogers - 5
Forced Ortega into a save after overlapping Ollie Watkins into the channel in the first half. Not spectacular by any stretch but generally looked Villa’s likeliest source of a proper opening.
Ollie Watkins - 6
A vital contributor with his back to goal. Recovered the ball in the Forest half with 27 minutes gone and created a chance for Rogers. Frequently managed to put himself in space all along the front line and was usually available for a pass if his teammates further back could get their heads up. Hit a snapshot straight at Ortega, who got a good hand out.
Got absolutely nothing from the officials.
Substitutes
Lamare Bogarde (for Onana, 54) - On for injured Onana. Settled nicely enough after a shaky start but didn’t have the quality in the attacking half. 4
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 79) - Late substitute. N/A
Douglas Luiz (for McGinn, 79) - Late substitute. N/A
Jadon Sancho (for Buendía, 79) - Late substitute. N/A