Matty Cash, Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa badge, Manchester City badge
Rogers MOTM in Aston Villa v Man City. (Credit - Imago)
Dakir Thanveer
Sat 21 December 2024 14:43, UK
Morgan Rogers haunted his former side as Aston Villa earned a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday.
The Englishman provided the assist for Jhon Duran’s first-half goal before netting the decisive goal in the 65th minute of the Premier League clash on 21 December.
A late goal from Phil Foden brought the visitors briefly back into the game, but it ultimately turned out to be a consolation.
Here, Villa News rate each player out of 10, with stats from FotMob and Sofascore:
Emi Martinez – 7
After a quiet start to the game, Martinez made a fine save to deny Phil Foden after the half-hour mark. The goalkeeper was booked after an altercation with Jack Grealish at half-time. He made a total of five saves, although he had to conede the clean sheet at the end.
Matty Cash troubled by former Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish
Matty Cash – 5
Up against a tricky Grealish, Cash had a comparatively tougher time his name taken in the first half. The right-back had a chance to add to Duran’s opener in the second half, but hit the side netting. He notably won only two of his seven duels (29 per cent) and committed three fouls in total.
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Matty Cash
Aston Villa full-back Matty Cash (Credit: Imago)
Ezri Konsa – 5
Moving back to centre-back, Konsa had a quiet afternoon, registering three defensive actions. He was tidy in possession, completing 41 of his 45 passes (91 per cent), but was not involved in any duels.
Pau Torres – 7
Torres had a header from a corner brilliantly saved by Stefan Ortega early on in the game. Unlike Konsa, his presence was there to be seen as he registered 77 touches (most among teammates). The centre-back won both of his ground duels and registered seven defensive actions, including five clearances.
Lucas Digne – 6
Digne hardly put a foot wrong at left-back. With Grealish being City’s main threat, the Frenchman appeared comfortable on the other side.
Boubacar Kamara – 7
Kamara had 69 touches of the ball and completed 54 of his 60 passes, including seven into the final third, with 90 per cent accuracy. He was also heavily involved in duels, attempting 11 in total and winning seven of them. He was solid in the middle of the park, registering another 10 defensive actions and winning four tackles (most in the game).
Amadou Onana – 6
Unlike his midfield partner, Onana was comparatively quiet, but there was nothing to fault about his performance.
Youri Tielmans pulled the strings
John McGinn – 7
McGinn got things going for Villa, setting up Jhon Duran for a shot with an excellent pass in the opening minute. He then got the assist for Rogers’ goal. The Scotland international, who was booked late in the game, created four chances for his side.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Tielemans was the architect of Aston Villa’s opener, finding space for himself deep in midfield and playing a sublime through ball to Morgan Rogers, who then set up Duran for a tap-in. The Belgian continued to excel for the hosts, often bypassing City’s midfield with a single half-turn. Unlike the other three attackers, Tielemans did not get a goal or assist to his name, but he was one of the best players on the pitch as he pulled the strings for his side.
Youri Tielemans
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans [Credit: Imago]
Morgan Rogers (Off for Emi Buendia 90′) – 9
Playing against his former side, Rogers did well to provide the assist for Duran and continued to be a threat down the left-hand side. He got the Villa fans off their seats when he made a brilliant run in the lead-up to his goal, playing the ball to McGinn and receiving it back from him before finding the bottom right-hand corner with his left foot. Rogers staked his claim to the man of the match award, completing 31 of his 36 passes with 86 per cent accuracy and creating two chances, while also completing three of his five dribbles. The former City gem did not shy away from his defensive duties as he won six of his 10 ground duels.
Jhon Duran (Off for Ollie Watkins 80′) – 7
Duran found himself through on goal just seconds into the game, but failed to make the most of the chance as he took his shot too early, allowing Ortega to save down to his left. He made no mistake when another chance came his way after Rogers put the ball on a plate for him in the 16th minute, making it six goals in six starts this season. The Colombian had another goal ruled out for offside. He notably managed to get each of his three shots on target.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins (On for Duran 80′) – 5
Watkins had a shot saved by Ortega less than two minutes after coming on.
Emi Buendia (On for Rogers 90′) – NA
In other Aston Villa news, this Villa ace sent a message to Dele Alli after he announced his Everton departure.
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