Aston Villa secured a crucial comeback win over Fulham on Sunday as Trezeguet provided us with a major spark off the bench to turn things around.
Villa struggled to get going as we fell behind on the hour mark after failing to create any real clear-cut chances, with a mistake from Tyrone Mings gifting Fulham an opener.
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However, two goals inside three minutes from Trezeguet turned the game on its head before Ollie Watkins added a third to seal the victory and three crucial points.
With no Jack Grealish in the side again it was a blow before kick-off to be without him, but Villa found a response and the required answers on this occasion to pick up the win.
Villa player ratings vs Fulham
Emiliano Martinez, 7 – Made two good saves early on and was assured for the most part as he produced another top performance. Could do little about the goal.
Matty Cash, 6 – Solid display defensively as he carried out his duties well while also trying to break forward at every opportunity to give us some attacking impetus down the right flank.
Ezri Konsa, 7 – Another reliable performance from the centre-half as he dealt with danger with minimal fuss and impressed throughout. A positive way to celebrate signing his new extension.
Tyrone Mings, 5.5 – Ended the game well with the assist for the equaliser but his sloppy mistake for Fulham’s opener as well as struggling to deal with Aleksandar Mitrovic throughout ensured that it was a difficult afternoon for him. However, credit for the character shown after the error, reflected by the entire team.
Matt Targett, 6 – Improved in the second half after a tricky time dealing with Fulham’s attack down his side in the opening 45 minutes, but it was a decent overall effort from the left-back.
Morgan Sanson, 5 – Still struggling to find his best form and it was another inconsistent outing for the Frenchman. Showed quality at times but also frailties too, while we mounted our comeback after he was taken off.
Douglas Luiz, 5 – Not one of his better displays in a Villa shirt as an early booking and initial struggles dealing with Fulham’s attack through the midfield meant that it was a difficult day for him.
John McGinn, 7 – Immediately looked more of a threat and much more lively as he was deployed in a more advanced role than usual this season, and he certainly was one of the more positive aspects of our overall display, particularly in the first half. A workhorse as usual too, a good outing.
Bertrand Traore, 6 – Struggled to get going down the right but improved in the second half and eventually showed his quality with the assist for our third goal.
Anwar El Ghazi, 4 – A really sloppy and lacklustre performance from him as he gave the ball away on several occasions in the early stages and never looked a threat. Could have trouble getting back into the side based on Trezeguet’s impact and the possible return of those coming back to full fitness.
Ollie Watkins, 7 – Worked tirelessly for the team again as he thought he won a penalty for us in the first half. Never stopped running even though he was isolated and rarely involved in the game, but he was rewarded for his work ethic with a late goal to wrap up the win.
Substitutes:
Trezeguet, 8 – Brilliant brace after missing an earlier chance just after coming on, and he proved to be a game-changer for us in an encounter that we looked certain to lose with around 15 minutes to go.
Keinan Davis, 7 – Has struggled to do much of note when involved this season, but showed real quality to apply pressure and produce the assist for the second goal. Will hope he has made a case to be more involved.
Jacob Ramsey, 6 – Added some fresh legs and energy to the side in the latter stages, contributing to our late comeback.