Player Ratings: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

Emi Martínez: 6/10

It was always going to be a difficult day for the man between the sticks when his team welcomed opposition who were four games away from winning the league title before kick-off. The Argentine was a busy character, having thirty-six touches of the ball in total, however, he struggled to retain possession with his distribution.

Matty Cash: 5/10

The right-back was seemingly having a comfortable game until a horrendous, rush of blood saw him sent off for his second booking in quick succession, which consequently denyied his team a chance of salvaging a point. Before his dismissal, he had made four clearances, two successful dribbles, and enjoyed a healthy pass completion rate of 70%.

Ezri Konsa: 6/10

Under the watchful eye of England manager, Gareth Southgate, the young center-back will have been keen to endure a dominant defensive display. The defender was competent on the ball and dominant in the air. However, he struggled with the circumstance of the opposition making their way into his penalty area, hesitant in making a challenge. In fact, he didn’t make a successful tackle throughout the duration of the game, but did well to shadow striker, Gabriel Jesus, out of the game.

Tyrone Mings: 7/10

The center-back commanded the back line in a successful fashion with dominance on display in the air and on the ground. A pass completion rate of 89% is a massive successful factor as he showed composure to play the ball out from the back. Lastly, his defensive attributes also make for good reading with six clearances and four blocked shots, which highlights the danger that the opposition attack proposed.

Matt Targett: 6/10

It was a difficult evening to say the least for the left-back as most of the opposition’s attacks seemed to be rooted down the side of Matt Targett. Time after time, City ran forward with bodies creating a crossing opportunity and halfway through the first half, they prevailed -equalizing in the game. Nevertheless, Targett eventually regained a sense of command with five tackles, four clearances, and five out of seven ground duels won.

Marvelous Nakamba: 6/10

The defensive midfielder completed an hour of proceedings before he saw his number raised on the fourth official’s board. In his time on the pitch, he was reliable in possession, enjoying a 94% pass completion rate in an evening where Villa saw very little of the ball. On the other hand, the midfielder found himself going under the radar in other aspects of his game, failing to secure control in front of his defense.

Douglas Luiz: 6/10

The Brazilian suffered an average performance against his former club. The young midfielder looked hungry in and out of possession, displaying great work ethic to get himself into dangerous positions. However, it was often his final ball lacking or his shots were uninspiring and failed to test his international teammate in the Manchester City goal.

John McGinn: 7/10

The Scotsman got the game off to a blistering start after putting the home side ahead in under thirty seconds with a cool, calmly slotted finish in front of the Trinity Road Stand to stun the champions-to-be. After that, he found himself being forced further into his own half by the patient yet threatening manner in which Manchester City play with the ball. He will be glad to get his name on the score sheet as he will be the first to admit that it is an aspect of his game that has been missing at times this season.

Jacob Ramsey: 5/10

The academy graduate struggled throughout. His inefficient tracking back often left Matt Targett exposed on the left-hand side whilst when in possession, he looked fragile and complacent. His one involvement was on the stroke of half-time as he was on the end of a dangerous tackle from center-back, John Stones, seeing the visitors reduced to ten men. He was brought off at the break.

Bertrand Traoré: 6/10

The wide man endured an uninspiring display in possession, however, his potential to ignite a fast counterattack alongside striker, Ollie Watkins, was clear to see. He managed to get back and provide suitable cover for Matty Cash when questions were being asked of the home team’s defense.

Ollie Watkins: 7/10

An impressive outing with his willing running and determination there for all to see. He was switched on from the very off, capitalizing on a defensive error and providing an assist inside thirty seconds as he impressively got his head up and picked out John McGinn for the lead. He held the ball up, linked play, and helped transition efficiently.

Keinan Davis (SUB) 6/10

Ross Barkley (SUB) 5/10

Anwar El Ghazi (SUB) 5/10