John Townley rates Aston Villa players after the 2-2 draw with Nashville SC in Tennessee
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa rounded off their pre-season tour of the USA with a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC at Geodis Park.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 18th minute, heading the ball past goalkeeper Brian Schwake from Lucas Digne’s pinpoint delivery.
Watkins had earlier chances to score, first bending an effort just past the far post, then heading over on the rebound after Schwake saved a shot from Leon Bailey.
Emi Martinez was called into action shortly after the opening goal, getting down well to tip Teal Bunbury’s shot wide of the post.
Jacob Ramsey had a chance to double Villa’s lead in the 28th minute, but Schwake blocked his near-post effort. Watkins held the ball up well before laying it off to Emi Buendia, who slipped Ramsey in down the left.
Unai Emery made eight changes at the break, introducing Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Jamal Jimoh-Aloba, Morgan Rogers, and Donyell Malen. Martinez, Lamare Bogarde, and Bailey were substituted around the hour mark.
In the 64th minute, Tielemans won the ball back on the edge of the box and played it to Jimoh-Aloba, who then fed Malen inside the area. Malen chopped inside, leaving his defender behind, and curled the ball into the far corner to score his first goal of pre-season, doubling Villa’s lead.
Villa were unable to keep their first clean sheet of the summer, as Matthew Corcoran finished past Joe Gauci after running in behind Triston Rowe.
Sam Surridge then completed the comeback for the hosts by applying the finish after winning the ball off Konsa, even though the Villa defender was adamant he had been fouled.
First half player ratings
Emi Martinez Martinez pulled off an excellent save to deny Bunbury in the eighth minute, getting down quickly to tip the ball behind. He was frustrated with Villa’s lack of urgency in possession. 7
Matty Cash Produced three crosses in the first three minutes and tracked back well when Nashville tried to hit on the counter. Competed well in one-on-one situations. 7
Lamare Bogarde Nashville forward Bunbury posed a threat at times, but Bogarde kept him quiet for the most part. Distributed the ball well from the back. 7
Pau Torres Was largely untroubled and went about his business calmly alongside Bogarde. A strong performance from the Spaniard. 7
Lucas Digne Provided an excellent cross for Watkins to open the scoring in the first half. Very little got past him on his flank. 8
Boubacar Kamara It’s easy to label Kamara as just a destroyer, but his creative ability often goes unnoticed. He created two chances early in the second half, clipping the ball behind the Nashville backline. 8*
Amadou Onana Onana consistently pinched possession off the Nashville midfielders and retained the ball well himself. Mobile and energetic off the ball, the Belgian covered ground effortlessly. 7
Leon Bailey An effective outlet down the right, holding his position well to create space for teammates. 6
Emi Buendia Buendia was handed another chance to impress in what was his third consecutive start in the States. Also the only player to play over 45 minutes against St. Louis midweek. Slipped Ramsey in with a perfectly weighted pass midway through the first half but was wasteful in possession at times. 6
Jacob Ramsey Dropped his shoulder in the 14th minute to create space in the box, but Buendia couldn’t sort his feet out to capitalize. Had a chance to double Villa’s lead in the 28th minute, but was denied by Schwake at the near post. 7
Ollie Watkins Missed two good chances in the first 13 minutes – bending one wide and heading another over – but looked sharp and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a powerful header. Held the ball up well to bring others into play. 8
Second half player ratings
Emi Martinez Had little to do in the second half before being replaced by Joe Gauci on the hour. 6
Lamare Bogarde Displayed his versatility again, moving to right-back for the second period. Subbed off for Triston Rowe on 60 minutes. 6
Ezri Konsa Showed good recovery speed and defended his box with authority, but was dispossessed in the lead up to Nashville’s equaliser – Konsa was adamant he had been fouled. Made a perfectly timed tackle on Jacob Shaffelburg moments later. 6
Tyrone Mings
Stopped Jonathan Perez on the counter early in the second half – top defending. 7
Ian Maatsen Like Digne, Maatsen was an outlet on the left, though he saw little of the ball in advanced areas. Came off before the end of the game for Travis Patterson. 6
Youri Tielemans Didn’t shy away from a tackle on the edge of the box, which led to Malen having a chance to extend Villa’s lead. 7
John McGinn The skipper’s first action was to win possession high and draw a foul. Drove Villa forward several times, with Nashville’s midfielders unable to contain him at times. 7
Leon Bailey Replaced by Iling-Junior on the hour mark. 6
Morgan Rogers Played in the No. 10 role, arguably his most impactful position. Used his power and ability to carry the ball effectively. Got a few shots off and looked dangerous in and around the box. 7
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba Showed confidence when taking on his man. His end product will come, but he looks promising – Emery clearly likes what he sees. 6
Donyell Malen Scored his first goal of pre-season after assisting three across the first two games. Took his chance well, chopping inside and finishing into the far corner. Linked play effectively up top. 8
Substitutes
Joe Gauci (for Martinez, 60′): Beaten in one-on-ones by Corcoran and Surridge. 6
Samuel Iling-Junior (for Bailey, 60′): Drilled a shot wide in the 67th minute with his weaker right foot after helping create the chance from deep. 6
Triston Rowe (for Bogarde, 60′): Headed the ball clear after Surridge attempted to curl one in, but allowed Corcoran to run off him and score Nashville’s goal. 6
Travis Patterson (for Maatsen, 80′): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot.
GOALS
Nashville SC: Corcoran (75′), Surridge (85′)
Aston Villa: Watkins (18′), Malen (63′)