Aston Villa: Player Ratings vs RB Leipzig
Aston Villa's pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig provided a valuable test ahead of the new Premier League season. While the result wasn't in Villa's favour, there were undoubtedly some encouraging individual performances and areas for improvement. Let's delve into a detailed assessment of each player's contribution.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (7/10): Martínez was largely untroubled for long periods, showcasing his commanding presence in the box. He made a couple of crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable, demonstrating his reliability between the sticks. While he couldn't prevent all goals, his performance was solid and reassuring.
Defenders
Matty Cash (6.5/10): Cash offered his usual energy and commitment down the right flank. His defensive work was largely sound, but his attacking contributions were less impactful than in previous games. He needs to sharpen his final ball to truly unlock his potential in the attacking third.
Ezri Konsa (6/10): Konsa displayed a composed performance at the heart of the defence. He dealt effectively with most aerial challenges but occasionally struggled against Leipzig's pacey attackers. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.
Tyrone Mings (6.5/10): Mings partnered Konsa well, offering leadership and experience at the back. He made some vital interceptions and displayed strong defensive positioning. His passing accuracy could be improved, however.
Lucas Digne (7/10): Digne was a constant threat down the left flank, delivering several dangerous crosses into the box. His attacking prowess was evident, showcasing his ability to create chances for Villa's forwards. Defensively, he was generally solid.
Midfielders
Douglas Luiz (7/10): Luiz controlled the midfield tempo for large periods, dictating play with his passing range and composure. He showed his ability to break up play and initiate attacks, demonstrating his importance to the Villa midfield.
John McGinn (6.5/10): McGinn’s energy and work rate were noticeable throughout the game. His tackling was impactful, but he could have been more decisive in the final third. His passing accuracy needs to be more consistent.
Boubacar Kamara (7.5/10): Kamara impressed with his composure and ball retention. He exhibited exceptional skill in navigating tight spaces and distributing the ball effectively. He was a key figure in Villa's midfield build-up play.
Forwards
Ollie Watkins (6/10): Watkins worked tirelessly up front, leading the line with his usual enthusiasm. He created a couple of chances, but his finishing lacked precision. A promising start, but needs to convert more of his opportunities.
Leon Bailey (6.5/10): Bailey showed glimpses of his electrifying pace and skill. He was a constant threat on the counter-attack, providing some dangerous crosses and runs. His end product needs improvement, however.
Emiliano Buendía (6/10): Buendía's creativity was evident, but he struggled to make a significant impact on the game. His passing was often incisive, but he lacked the final ball to create clear-cut chances.
Substitutes
(Ratings omitted due to limited playing time) Several substitutes made appearances but didn't have enough time on the pitch for a fair assessment.
Overall Assessment
The game against RB Leipzig served as a valuable learning experience for Aston Villa. While the result was disappointing, several players showcased their potential and highlighted areas for improvement. The midfield, in particular, showed promising signs. Overall, it's a solid foundation to build upon as the Premier League season approaches. Further improvement in finishing and consistency will be key to Aston Villa’s success.