Aston Villa player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Brilliant 8/10 but one disappointing 4/10

admin | January 6, 2024 | Aston villa, Uncategorized | No Comments

Aston Villa player ratings vs Middlesbrough: Brilliant 8/10 but one disappointing 4/10

Unai Emery’s side were far from their best but Matty Cash won it late.

After a close match, Aston Villa defeated Middlesbrough 1-0 to advance to the FA Cup fourth round. On 87 minutes, Matty Cash scored the game’s lone goal, a speculative effort that cruelly curled past Tom Glover and into the bottom corner after deflecting off Emmanuel Latte Lath.

A well-rehearsed Boro team kept Villa quiet for the most of the match, but Unai Emery was able to make effective substitutions and eventually accomplish the goal of moving on to the next round.

Villa dominated early possession at the Riverside but were met with stern resistance from the home side. Attempts to encourage the press were largely ineffective and there were few openings until the 33rd minute, when Leander Dendoncker glanced a header just over the Boro goal.

Michael Carrick’s side continued to frustrate and had arguably the best

chance of the first-half when Alex Bangura got in behind Cash. But his cross

was heavy and Josh Coburn was unable to make contact.

Villa upped the tempo after half-time and Ezri Konsa was unfortunate to see his glancing header hit the base of Tom

Glover’s far post. Alex Moreno then missed a great chance and should have

won a penalty after being clipped by Isaiah Jones, but claims were waved

away and the absence of VAR meant no review.

In the 69th minute, Emery made four substitutions and deployed the cavalry, introducing Douglas Luiz, Nicolo Zaniolo, Ollie Watkins, and Moussa Diaby. However, Boro held firm defensively, and although Martinez blanketed Latte Lath, he caused danger on the break.

As the game approached the ninetieth minute, both teams kept exchanging blows, with Cash being the first to open

the score. Villa’s speculative long-range shot curled into the bottom corner after

the latter played a corner out to the edge of the box.

Even though Villa wasn’t at their best, they managed to secure their spot in the

fourth round with that final goal. Your player ratings are as follows:

Martinez – 6: Spent much of the first-half with one foot on the ball trying to draw in Middlesbrough’s press. Well positioned to claim dangerous crosses on more than one occasion.

Cash – 6: Scored the winning goal from range, albeit with a huge stroke of luck via Latte Lath’s deflection. Caught in behind a little for Boro’s best chance on 45 minutes but Bangura’s heavy cross a let off. Booked for a couple of late challenges.

Lenglet – 7: Stepped in well twice either side of half-time after Villa had been caught. Dealt with crosses well on the whole.

Konsa – 8: Brave to keep firing passes through the lines of a compact Boro midfield. Unlucky to hit the post with a glancing header from a corner shortly after half-time. Dealt with crosses well.

Moreno – 6: Villa most dangerous down the left and Moreno linked up well with

Ramsey at points. Missed a great chance on the volley on 54 minutes. Should have

won a penalty after being clipped by Jones but no VAR.

Dendoncker (off 69’) – 5: Came close with a glancing header on 30 minutes. Ticked things over but did little to make the difference.

Kamara – 6: A varied role in possession, either sticking in central midfield or moving to right-back at points when Cash bombed on. Bypassed with slick passing once or twice but relatively solid throughout.

Bailey (off 69’) – 5: Tried a trick too much when space opened up in the box shortly before half-time.He and Cash didn’t work well together. Booked for dissent.

McGinn (off 69’) – 6: Not as tidy in possession as usual and was hard to find in a congested central area. Good effort from 20-yards forced a save on 50 minutes.

Ramsey – 7: Drew his fair share of fouls and was in the wars. Found pockets of space well but the final product was lacking.

Duran (off 69’) – 4: Rifled a strong effort at Glover from 25-yards but was otherwise ineffective.

Subs:

Watkins (on 69’) – 5: Quiet.

Zaniolo (on 69’) – 6: Nearly scored a wonderful goal, cutting in on his left and curling his shot towards the top corner.

Luiz (on 69’) – 5: Took some decent set-pieces but a physical Boro coped well.

Diaby (on 69’) – 6: Had the best chance of the game at 0-0 on 82 minutes but produced an air shot from 10-yards out. Provided pace and zip in the final third.