Aston Villa produced an excellent performance to secure a 2-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday, as we leap-frogged them in the Premier League table with our victory.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers sealed the three points, and although Phil Foden scored late on for the visitors, it was nothing more than a consolation goal that couldn’t deny Villa a deserved win.
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Although City enjoyed plenty of possession, Villa were exceptional defensively as we stayed disciplined and organised throughout to limit them, while we showed quality on the ball when it mattered to go ahead and take the game to Pep Guardiola’s side after the break.
It’s an important win after our own disappointment last weekend at Nottingham Forest, and it’s a perfect way to start our Christmas schedule as we look to put a strong run of form together to end the year.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Manchester City:
Emiliano Martinez, 7.5 – Produced a pivotal save at 1-0 to protect our lead, while he commanded his box well and organised the backline in a top defensive effort. He’ll be frustrated that we couldn’t see out the game and keep a clean sheet.
Matty Cash, 7 – Aggressive throughout, perhaps a little too much in marking Jack Grealish as he picked up a yellow card in the first half, but he was disciplined after the break as he limited City’s threat on that flank.
Ezri Konsa, 7.5 – A diligent and efficient defensive performance without ever really being forced out of his comfort zone. Marshalled Erling Haaland well throughout to nullify his threat in the final third.
Pau Torres, 8 – Went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock early on, but he produced a top-class defensive display as he kept things tight, and won countless headers in the box to clear danger and keep City at bay.
Lucas Digne, 6.5 – Showed good energy to get forward and give us width, and defended well for the most part. He’ll be disappointed that he couldn’t get his feet set and clear the danger which ultimately led to City’s late goal.
Boubacar Kamara, 8 – As influential as ever in both phases as he consistently broke up play and disrupted City’s rhythm, while also setting us off on our own attacks to give us fundamental balance in that area of the pitch.
Amadou Onana, 7.5 – Slightly wasteful in possession at times, but added strength and tenacity in our midfield pivot alongside Kamara to shield the backline and give us more solidity in defence. A real boost to have him back after his spell on the sidelines.
John McGinn, 8 – What a shift from the Villa skipper. He worked tirelessly throughout with and without the ball to give us a footing in the game and gradually wrestle control away from City. His energy was vital as it lifts the entire team, while he also showed quality in the final third as he registered an assist.
Youri Tielemans, 8 – Majestic. Given the freedom to play in a more advanced role in this one and he pulled the strings so elegantly in a crucial shift. His first touch and ability to turn away from pressure created some big openings for us, and his pass through to Rogers before he set up Duran for our opener was the icing on the cake.
Morgan Rogers, 8.5 – Important that he was more clinical in the final third today, ending the game with a goal and an assist. His powerful, driving runs forward from deeper areas was key as it opened up space and opportunities for us, but adding that end product to his play is such an important boost as he himself conceded after the game that he hasn’t been as ruthless as needed at times.
Jhon Duran, 8 – Arguably his most complete and impressive performance in a Villa shirt. Aside from his goal, he was a menace for the City backline with the way he led the Villa line, held the ball up, linked our play together and harassed the City players in possession as he showed great work ethic. A top effort that showed he deserved another start.
Substitutes:
Ollie Watkins, N/A
Emiliano Buendia, N/A
