Darren posted this in the previous thread, but seeing as I like reading player’s ratings, I thought it deserved a thread of it’s own.
Feel free to do this every week if you want, Darren and let us know if you fancy becoming an author, specialising in this;
My Player Ratings Aston Villa 3 – 2 Man City.
Brad Guzan 7.0. Did nothing wrong in goal as such and can’t be blamed for either goal as both were lapses in defence and from unmarked players. Had a good game. Still some poor inaccurate long balls.
Nathan Baker 6.5 Had a solid game and overall looks the part and will become crucial in Okore’s absence.
Ron Vlaar 8.0 Almost looked out of his depth in the first half as Man City just kept coming and just held in. But stood tall in the second and repelled attacks like Mortein on Mosquitoes. Cleared, intercepted and tackled admirably and lead the defence well.
Ciaran Clark 6.0. Made some crucial blocks and interceptions. But a poor defensive header gave City their first goal. Never looked overly confident in possession.
Antonio Luna 6.5 Did Ok defensively for most of the game and played a crucial role in stopping Navas in the dying minutes of the game. Always looks good when in possession going forward.
Leandro Bacuna 8.0 Looks good when on the ball in the middle of the park and can clearly create as he opened up city with a through ball to El Ahmadi for our first goal. Did his job in defence. His Bend it like Bacuna goal the highlight of any highlight real. Finally a dead ball specialist? Where do we play Bacuna? In the middle or at right back? Surely he has consolidated his spot in the starting 11 for now.
Karim El Ahmadi 8.0 Yes I give him as equal as importance as Vlaar and Bacuna for this win. I like many have wanted him out from previous games but by god he played well today. Run his heart out all game but came into his own after scoring the first Villa goal with a nice finish. He got back infront of defence over and over, chased down, talked well and looked a lot cleaner on the ball than we have seen previously. I think this is KEA best game for Villa as I see it.
Yacouba Sylla 6.5 Poor passing at times. Missed players. Seemed a little off the pace at times but run and pressured all game. Tireless effort and overall deserves his spot as I see him only getting better as he gels with the team.
Fabian Delp. 7.5 Another impressive performance from our midfield maestro. Great on the ball, excellent control and a excellent array of passing, once again the most complete Villa midfielder as he has been all season.
Andreas Weimann 6.0 Struggled early and took a long time to get into the game. Nice finish to give Villa the win. But for me did little else today. Should get great confidence from his goal!
Libor Kozak 6.5 Looks quite useful upfront and always making runs and working the defenders. Looks good in the air and will be solid in Benteke’s absence.
Overall Review: I see this win as a team performance, one against the odds, one that was ground out to the finish, finally a fight in Villa! Poor defending of corners set us and why no one is on the posts when all players are back is beyond me (would have cleared their second if their was someone on the back post). Many impressive points as this is clearly a win to savour and to behold. Were we lucky or was our admirable defending and quality finishing the sign of a good team of the future? I prefer to think the latter but obviously there was some luck involved.
Was KEA offside? Yes. But I think that evens up our Chelsea game, thanks Ref.
I am a happy man as to be honest, who could expect more against City? And tot be honest who isn’t outplayed by City? Sometimes this is just what you have to do to win a game.
Game Highlight. Bacunas curler of course!
Talking Point: Is no Benteke for a couple weeks a blessing in disguise? Will we learn more avenues and better ways to play in his absence and only be even stronger when he returns?
