Aston Villa player ratings as John McGinn scores twice to clinch a place in the Europa League final
Unai Emery leads the Villans to their first European final since 1982
Aston Villa are in the Europa League final.
Villa were incredible in their semi-final second leg demolition of Nottingham Forest – just absolutely incredible. They were energetic from the start, bold, and they won 4-0 thanks to a wonderful opener, a penalty from a player putting in the performance of his life, and a double from the King of Villa Park.
Freiburg await in the Europa League final on Wednesday 20th May and I can’t quite believe I’ve just typed that out loud.
Unai Emery has taken some warranted criticism lately. There’s no questioning this.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 8
Willing to move the ball quickly and played his part in Villa’s goal in the first half with one of several long passes looking for Ollie Watkins one-on-one with his marker. Good vision and quick off his line to sweep up behind the defence late in the first half.
Made a good one-on-one save from Chris Wood at 2-0. The flag went up but it would have been a very tight call on review.
Matty Cash - 7
Sorted Igor Jesus out with a big tackle early in the game. Decent quality from in-swinging corners. More involved early in the second half, combining on the right with John McGinn.
Ezri Konsa - 8
Brave short passing under the press from Forest and was primarily involved in possession in the first half. Did some excellent work with the ball at his feet. Tidy defensively when called upon, including in first-half stoppage time when he overpowered Wood brilliantly.
Pau Torres - 9
Key interception under his own crossbar to thwart Wood, and produced some terrific one-on-one defending to overpower him on quarter of an hour. Handled the big striker well and was all but immaculate throughout.
Glancing header forced a save from Stefan Ortega from an early Villa corner. Fouled in the six-yard box for Villa’s penalty.
Lucas Digne - 7
Wading through treacle when Omari Hutchinson got a shot away inside the first ten minutes. Seldom tested after that point but everything he did, he did well.
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 - 7
Quietly served as Villa’s connector. Zipped a low shot just wide of the post at 0-0. Neat and tidy, nothing spectacular, just very much at home on the big stage.
Victor Lindelöf - 7
Big contribution before he was substituted with 17 minutes to go. Settled quickly into midfield. Not perfect or polished but happy enough with the ball and not scared of anyone or any moment. Useful defensive cover when needed.
John McGinn - 9
An ideal blend of energy and composure in possession. Crosses and corner deliveries looked a threat from the right. Fabulous skill to set Villa away on a break after 17 minutes, ultimately leading to a free kick and a yellow card.
Busy in the Forest half after the break as Villa worked to double the lead. Could have added a third goal soon after they did. Did add a delightful third with 14 minutes left, and a carbon copy for a fourth just a few minutes later.
Set the tone. He usually does. He’s a true Villa hero.
Emi Buendía - 9
His best Villa performance by far. Scuffed the first effort of a bright start in the attacking third. Quick feet to win a free kick in the middle of the first half and superb work to win the ball back right by the Forest box after 25 minutes, leading to a corner. Phenomenal footwork to make the goal that put Villa in front. Incredible.
Scored a super penalty to make it 2-0 on the night and might have had another with 20 minutes remaining. Did the dirty work in the middle and in his own box too.
Morgan Rogers - 8
Started with the bit between his teeth on the press and always involved in transition. Didn’t grab the headlines in the first half but made some very important little touches to retain the ball with Villa fizzing it around.
A monster when it came to picking up second balls with his back to goal. Grew into the game and linked really well with Watkins, most notably for the goal that made it 3-0.
Ollie Watkins - 9
Sensational. Won Villa an early free kick with excellent hold-up play and not for the last time in a superb first half that he capped with a tap-in – albeit with world-class movement to get there. Could have had another within minutes and forced a good save from Ortega. Assisted McGinn’s first goal.
Always looking to get the run on defenders from long passes from the goalkeeper. Sent a header on target from a corner at 0-0 and got a bang in the face for his troubles.
Substitutes
Lamare Bogarde (for Lindelöf, 74) - Straight swap into midfield. Sorry, Lamare. I was too excited to really watch by then. 5
Jadon Sancho (for Buendía, 86) - Late substitute. N/A
Tyrone Mings (for Rogers, 90) - Late substitute. N/A
Douglas Luiz (for Torres, 90) - Late substitute. N/A
Leon Bailey (for McGinn, 90) - Late substitute. N/A
I thought Lindelof was fantastic as nullifying their long balls into Chris Wood. It felt like he was picking Wood up every time the Forest keeper had the ball and he won a lot of their duels too. Telling that he was subbed for Bogarde two minutes after Forest hooked Wood.