Wolves 2 Aston Villa 0 | match report, ratings from Wolves defeat with two unacceptable 4/10s and several 5s but one standout 7
Wolves 2 Aston Villa 0 | match report, ratings from Wolves defeat with two unacceptable 4/10s and
several 5s but one standout 7
Analysis and player ratings as Aston Villa lose to local rivals Wolves in the Premier League.
Aston Villa stumbled to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on
Saturday evening, downed by an early Jean-Ricner Bellegarde goal and finished off by a clinical
Matheus Cunha strike in second-half stoppage time.
Unai Emery’s side were completely outplayed in the first 45 minutes and
always faced a tough challenge trying to overcome a deficit against a team desperately battling at
the opposite end of the Premier League standings.
The introduction of new signing Donyell Malen made a difference in the second half –
and the Dutchman controversially had a goal ruled out – but the visitors’ efforts were in vain.
Wolves drew the first blood as Pablo Sarabia’s through ball was drilled into the near bottom corner by
Bellegarde in the 12th minute. Villa were all over the place defensively as Lamare Bogarde and
Youri Tielemans were both sucked in and failed tackle attempts. Boubacar Kamara then didn’t
track Bellegarde’s run quickly enough, while Emiliano Martinez was beaten too easily at his near post.
Villa were under the cosh for pretty much the entire first period – not just for the goal – as Wolves’
high press proved effective. It was risky but rewarding from Vitor Pereira’s
side who could have been left susceptible to space in behind but instead profited from transitions of their own.
Wolves should’ve been out of sight by half time as they had four huge opportunities to extend their lead.
Cunha simply had to score when he dispossessed Kamara and went one-on-one with Martinez but had his shot saved. The Brazilian perhaps had too much time to think about it and was then distracted by Ezri Konsa,
who rushed back quickly.
Goncalo Guedes then followed up on the rebound but the winger’s strike fizzed inches wide.
Guedes had two more big chances just before the break.
The first came as Bellegarde pounced on a loose ball to kick-start a counter-attack to play through Guedes but
the Portuguese fired wide. Wolves’ number 29 was then fed through the eye of a needle by
Bellegarde but saw his resultant effort tipped behind by Martinez.
There was a mass exodus from a frustrated Emery at the break as the away head coach made four substitutions, bringing off Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey, Lucas Digne and Andres Garcia for Donyell Malen,
Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen.
Malen thought he’d made a rapid impact as he found the net in the 53rd minute but the goal was disallowed for a controversial offside. Bailey’s clever free-kick found McGinn on the right and Villa’s captain drilled in a low cross for Malen to convert, but the flag was raised. The replays showed Malen clearly onside so VAR were expected to give the goal, but the referee’s decision stood as they felt Morgan Rogers – in an offside position – interfered with play. The argument was that Rogers had blocked Semedo from running back but there was hardly any contact whatsoever.
Villa were in the ascendancy for the rest of the second half – and Malen had two decent shots saved by Jose Sa – but there was no way through a resilient and determined Wanderers defence. The hosts then rubbed salt in Villa’s wounds at the death as Cunha scored an excellent goal late in injury time, somehow breaking space away from Konsa and firing clinically into the far bottom corner.
Ratings
Emiliano Martinez – 6
Will be very disappointed to have been beaten at his near post by Bellegarde – and then again by Cunha’s powerful strike across goal – but made some vital saves to keep out shots from Cunha and Guedes, keeping his side in the game.
Andres Garcia – 5 (off at HT)
Struggled on his club debut as he played Bellegarde onside for the goal and was skinned by Ait-Nouri and Cunha on separate occasions. Did swing in one excellent cross for Watkins, at least.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Got back just about quickly enough to distract Cunha after a mistake from Kamara and made two or three vital clearances from low crosses. Also sprinted back to make two crucial interventions, both on Cunha. Chested the ball awkwardly and put Kamara under pressure in just the third minute, however, and wasn’t able to stop Wolves’ star man from scoring at the death.
Boubacar Kamara – 4
At fault for the opening goal as he didn’t track Bellegarde’s run and he very nearly caused his side to concede a second as he lost possession on the edge of his own box, allowing Cunha clean through. Hardly put a foot wrong with his passing but unusally didn’t look confident defensively.
Lucas Digne – 5 (off at HT)
Caught out of position for a couple of Wolves’ counters and wasn’t his usual self in the rare first-half instances Villa were in the final third.
Lamare Bogarde – 5 (off 83’)
Beaten for pace and skill so often by the likes of Cunha and Ait-Nouri but did halt the former in his tracks on a couple of occasions. Booked for a horrendously-timed tackle on Ait-Nouri.
Youri Tielemans – 6
Displayed exceptional close ball control at times – especially in the second half – and created a great chance for Malen near the end, playing the attacker clean through. At fault for a few turnovers, mind.
John McGinn – 6
Battled hard as per usual but unable to win enough of his duels. Assisted Malen’s ruled out goal with a great delivery.
Jacob Ramsey – 5 (off at HT)
Made one decent dribble forward but otherwise struggled to make things stick, only completing eight passes before being withdrawn.
Morgan Rogers – 6
A driving force through the centre to win three fouls in dangerous areas.
Ollie Watkins – 5 (off at HT)
Hardly involved and didn’t manage a single shot on goal. Taken off at the break, perhaps due to a knee to the head he suffered.
Subs:
Ian Maatsen – 6 (on at HT)
Didn’t do a great deal differently to Digne.
Amadou Onana – 6 (on at HT)
Helped Villa assert control in the middle of the park when he came on.
Leon Bailey – 4 (on at HT)
Tried to be a bit too flairful when he should’ve just swung the ball in the box.
Donyell Malen – 7 (on at HT)
Made things happen and was unlucky to see what would have been his first Premier League goal ruled out. Had two decent shots on target saved by Sa towards the end.
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