Aston Villa v Everton Player Ratings

This Gameweek saw the renewal of the oldest fixture in English Football, Aston Villa v Everton. The Toffees came into the game with a rock-solid defense having two clean sheets in the first two games. But also sporting an anemic offense which even after big money signings in the form of Iwobi and Kean, had only scored 1 goal this season.

The conditions were perfect for Villa to be stymied by the Everton defense and help jumpstart the weak offensive production. However, much to Everton’s dismay, Villa showed up to play and came away with their 81^st win in the grand old series. With all that being said it’s time to get into the individual performances, per usual the ratings are on a 1-10 scale with 6 being about average.

Starting XI: GK: Tom Heaton, RB: Frederic Guilbert, CB: Bjorn Engles, CB: Tyrone Mings, LB: Neil Taylor, CDM: Douglas Luiz, CM: John McGinn, CM: Jack Grealish, RW: Jota, ST: Wesley, LW: Trezeguet

Tom Heaton

The Villa number one did not have many questions asked of him by the Everton attack, although there were many chances created only one shot landed on target. Regardless, the former Burnley man was a composed figure in goal, made the save which was required of him, improved his delivery toward Wesley, and most importantly kept the clean sheet. Rating: 7

Frederic Guilbert

After having a smashing preseason in which Guilbert looked be nailed on in the right back position, the Frenchman was cast aside for the first two games of the season. However, with Dean Smith looking to change the winger situation more dramatically, Jota came in and thus his link up partner Guilbert did as well. The debutant made quite the impression as he looked to be the difference at times in the pace of the attack and was vital in the build up to the first goal. Defensively, the Frenchman was solid as he totaled a 100% tackle rate and 3 interceptions. Although there is stiff competition for this position, I don’t see Guilbert losing it anytime soon. Rating: 7.5

Bjorn Engels

Another day another solid performance from the Belgian. Although it did not begin as assuredly as one would hope as the distribution from the Center Half was worrisome early but as the game went on Engels settled in. Defensively, Engels had a block that saved the points early as a point-blank shot from Dominic Calvert-Lewin which looked to be the opportunity for Everton to scored was rifled into the Belgian. Also, Engels showed a bit of toughness as he was kicked in the head by Tyrone Mings when both attempted to clear a ball. Rating: 7.5

Tyrone Mings

Tyrone Mings is worth every penny that has gone from B6 down to Bournemouth. He was the defensive stalwart which kept everything together and led the team to a clean sheet. Even throughout the Evertonian assault Mings kept his composure and continually put clearances out and won aerial duels that kept the Toffees at bay. Even in times where the defense broke down like in the Iwobi shot that hit post, Mings kept his cool and made sure that the second opportunity did not fall to the opposition. Rating: 7.5

Neil Taylor

Admittedly I am not the biggest Neil Taylor fan, I appreciate the value he has on a team, but I am often in favor of a more “progressive” option at the full back position. However, during this game he hardly put a foot wrong and was a reason that the Everton offensive output was muted. The Welsh international kept Richarlison in his pocket for the duration of his appearance and kept Seamus Coleman at bay as well. Although his offensive output is not at the level I wish for, if these defensive contributions keep up you cannot dispute his value in the team. Rating: 7

Douglas Luiz

Douglas Luiz did not have another game changing goal this week, but he didn’t have another game breaking mistake either. The Brazilian looked to be a mobile pivot in the Villa offense and gave Grealish and McGinn the freedom to go forward. Defensively the young Luiz had a 50% tackle completion rate and was credited with an interception but dispossessed the ball a few times as well. Rating: 6.5

John McGinn

The young Scot put in another good box to box performance and shined in unexpected ways against Everton. Specifically, the part of his game which impressed me the most was his transitions from Defense to Offense and the tackles he made were ones that began the break for the Claret and Blues. McGinn did all the hard work that has to be done for a team to win in the fashion that Villa did on Friday. Further, late in the game when Villa was simply trying to hold possession, he picked out a pass to Anwar El Ghazi which became an assist as the Dutch winger scored. Rating: 8

Jack Grealish

The born and raised Brummie put in a hardworking shift on Friday as Grealish was fouled, created chances, and even got in a few defensive plays on the press. The Villa talisman kept the Everton midfield busy through the night and exploited the space left in between the midfield and the defensive line constantly. Although Grealish wasted an opportunity late when he was dribbling deep in the opponent’s penalty area, the future English International showed his importance in the build up and in being the engine to this Villa squad. Rating: 7.5

Jota (Subbed 86’)

Play on the wing for this game was clinical and this is largely due to the link up on the right side between Guilbert and Jota. The former Brentford man cut inside and created chances during the entirety of the match. Everton’s Lucas Digne usually will act as a wing back as part of the front four but due to the effectiveness of Jota, Digne was not able to cheat forward as he is known to do and thus had to dial back his game to contain his assignment. Lastly, but not least the assist Jota played into Wesley was magnificent, a perfectly weighted ball to just the right spot so that only the striker could get it. Rating: 8.5

Wesley

Villa’s record signing came good this week in a major way. Wesley opened up his account at Villa park scoring off of a perfectly weighted ball from Jota and completing the chance with a sublime finish just out of reach of England’s number one. But Big Wes also did the nitty gritty, his hold up was tremendous and vital to the success that Villa had on the day. Further, the striker absolutely bullied the Everton backline and had Mina dead to rights on a few occasions. Rating: 8.5 (Man of the Match)

Trezeguet (Subbed 77’)

The Egyptian winger had a tough time getting involved in the action against Everton and wasn’t as useful as in the games prior. This may be due to the link up partner having been changed from his fellow countryman and former wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady to the offensively challenged Neil Taylor. Regardless Trezeguet could have linked up through the middle with Big Wes and had other opportunities to get involved. Lastly he ended his day with a Yellow and although it was a bit undeserved the exchange didn’t help things in Deano’s eyes as he was immediately yanked. Rating: 5.5

Substitutions: LW: Anwar El Ghazi (77’), RW: Ahmed Elmohamady (86’)

Anwar El Ghazi (Subbed on 77’ for Trezeguet)

Brought on for a struggling Trezeguet, El Ghazi looked to be himself for the first time this season. The Dutch winger looked tricky on the ball and determined to score, El Ghazi put a rocket toward Pickford within minutes of coming on and sealed the deal with the last goal. Rating: 7

Ahmed Elmohamady (Subbed on 86’ for Jota)

Brought on for Defensive Strength late and saw out the clean sheet. Rating: N/A