Aston Villa welcomed AZ Alkmaar at Villa Park earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Villans made a good start to the game but were held to a scoreless draw at the half-time break.
Vangelis Pavlidis finally broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 52nd minute. However, Unai Emery’s men equalised just nine minutes later thanks to Diego Carlos’ effort. Ollie Watkins ended up scoring the winning goal in the 81st minute as Aston Villa secured a narrow 2-1 win at Villa Park.
Let’s take a look at how each Aston Villa player fared during the clash against AZ Alkmaar.
GK: Emiliano Martinez – 6.5/10
The Argentine keeper made a couple of solid saves at the back but failed to keep a clean sheet.
RB: Ezri Konsa – 7/10
He was solid when defending inside his half and made some good runs with the ball.
CB: Diego Carlos – 7.5/10
Carlos didn’t do much wrong at the back and managed to score the all-important equaliser for Aston Villa in the 61st minute.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 7/10
He did his fair share of defending and was good on the ball.
LB: Lucas Digne – 7/10
Digne linked up play well with others around him from the left flank.
CM: Youri Tielemans – 7/10
He produced a decent performance at the centre of the park and was replaced in the 74th minute.
CM: Boubacar Kamara – 6.5/10
Kamara offered decent protection for his teammates at the back but missed a glorious chance to score.
RW: Leon Bailey – 7/10
He picked up an assist for setting up Carlos’ equaliser.
CAM: Moussa Diaby – 6/10
Diaby was a quiet presence in the opponent’s half.
LW: John McGinn – 6/10
McGinn worked his socks off but failed to influence the game.
ST: Ollie Watkins – 8/10
The English striker was a real threat in the final third and managed to score the winning goal in the 81st minute.
Substitutes:
CM: Douglas Luiz – 7.5/10
Luiz made an instant impact off the bench.
RM: Nicolo Zaniolo – 6/10
He was a good presence on the ball.
RB: Matty Cash – 6/10
Cash looked solid at the back.
CB: Pau Torres – N/A
RW: Bertrand Traore – N/A
