Despite being five games without a win in the Championship, Steven Bruce’s Aston Villa clinched a narrow win against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon and now had a tough test at home against Bristol City who grabbed a historic triumph against Manchester United in recent weeks and sealed a berth in the semis of English League Cup.
The Robins have registered themselves as promotion favourites this term and their Monday evening outing against the Villans at Villa Park on new year’s eve was tipped to be a close encounter. Aston Villa, however, seem to have gathered much-needed confidence boost from their Boro win and the outing against Bristol City turned out to be a stroll in the park for the hosts who registered a dominating 5-0 win and staked a claim in promotion battle alongside the other top of the table outfits.
Below are the Aston Villa players rated from their thumping win against Bristol City.
Sam Johnstone: 7
The Manchester United loanee didn’t have to do much except a few routine stops and bags a clean-sheet against the Robins.
Ahmed Elmohamaday: 7
Kept on making runs down the right-hand flank, whipped in crosses and combined well with sensational Robert Snodgrass while creating opportunities in opponent’s box.
Tommy Elphick: 7.5
The veteran Englishman was solid in the heart of Villa defence and didn’t allow the likes of Jamie Paterson and Bobby Reid to create enough goal-scoring opportunities for the visitors.
James Chester: 8
Was outstanding alongside Elphick and impressed with his passing, duels, tackles and clearances. Thoroughly deserved the clean-sheet.
Alan Hutton: 8
Delivered a balanced display down the left-hand flank. Defended well and took part in attacking movements with overlap runs throughout. Assisted substitute Bjarnason for his goal in the second half.
Mile Jedinak: 7.5
Worked as a midfield blocked in front of ‘back four’ and the Australian provided enough stability in the middle of the park by breaking down opponent’s moves.
Robert Snodgrass: 9
Snodgrass’ solitary goal earned the Villans an away win against Middlesbrough and the Scottish international continued his great run of form this evening too as he netted a brace and proved to be a constant threat down the right-hand flank of Aston Villa attack.
Conor Hourihane: 7.5
Worked hard, tried to utilize the width of the pitch with his passes, made some positive runs to orchestrate moves from behind and scored a late goal from close range to make it 5-0 for the hosts.
Jack Grealish: 8
The youngster was a constant threat with his runs and attacking display. He provided an assist for Snodgrass’ second goal and earned loads of praise from the fans while being taken off to be replaced by Callum O’Hare.
Albert Adomah: 8
Adomah, the former Bristol City wingman, was often creating space from the left-hand flank and assisted Scott Hogan for Villa’s opener. Was taken off in the second half and replaced by Birkir Bjarnason.
Scott Hogan: 8.5
Scored a goal with a looping header and played his part in Snodgrass’ first goal of the evening minutes later. Was taken off late in the game to be replaced by youngster Hepburn-Murphy.
Subs
Birkir Bjarnason: 7.5
Was introduced in placed of Adomah and marked his name on the scoresheet with a great goal within two minutes of his arrival.
Callum O’Hare: 7
The youngster was introduced late in place of Grealish and looked promising with his movements and touches.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy: 7.5
Played his part in Villa’s fifth of the evening as his strike was cleared as far as Hourihane who slotted it home from inside the area.
