Aston Villa suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday as our abject start to the Premier League season continued.
The visitors deserve plenty of credit as they continue to have our number, but the frustration and disappointment over our own struggles is continuing to grow after consecutive defeats, with one point from our opening three games and having failed to score a single goal.
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There was an improved period after half-time in which Villa began to build pressure and create chances, but ultimately it was all-too brief and there was no cutting edge to our play to make the most of that positive stretch in the encounter.
Conversely, Palace were clinical through a Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty, a superb strike from Marc Guehi and a late Ismaila Sarr header to bring an emphatic end to our unbeaten home record.
Villa and Emery have a lot to think about over the next 20 hours or so before the transfer deadline, and furthermore, over the international break to bring about an end to our slide and get back to winning ways as we’re desperately in need of a lift.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Crystal Palace:
Marco Bizot, 4.5 – Produced some important interventions both with his saves and rushing out to clear danger, but conceded the penalty that started our downfall and looked out of position for the second. A difficult night for him having come into the starting line-up amid the Emi Martinez exit talk.
Matty Cash, 4 – Once again a disappointingly poor display. Booked early on, played Kamada onside in the build-up to the penalty and gave possession away cheaply in the lead up to the second. Didn’t offer much attacking quality either.
Ezri Konsa, 4.5 – Weak clearance didn’t clear the threat posed just prior to Guehi’s strike and although he added balance to the backline on his return to the side, it wasn’t enough to prevent us from conceding poor goals.
Tyrone Mings, 4.5 – Perhaps more solid than those around him, but too content with playing at walking pace and taking too many touches before recycling possession as it slowed everything down.
Ian Maatsen, 5 – No end product to his play, but with his energetic running and desire to get forward, he gave us something fresh in the attacking third and a different dynamic in how we were able to launch attacks.
John McGinn, 5 – Had moments where he set the tone and stamped his mark on the game, while also playing some dangerous long passes forward to create openings. However, wasn’t enough to give us control consistently through to build sustained pressure.
Youri Tielemans, 5 – Gave us composure and presence in midfield in possession, but with a clear lack of movement and effort in front of him, was often short of options to find as we struggled once advancing beyond the half-way line.
Donyell Malen, 4 – Rarely threatened as we couldn’t find him in dangerous situations down the right side, while he struggled to find space and influence the game. Disappointing after the wait to see him get a starting role.
Morgan Rogers, 4 – Showed glimpses, but another underwhelming display. Sloppy in possession again, but it’s the inability or lack of effort to find space and make himself available in impactful areas that is really causing a lot of frustration as we need him to step up and get back to the level of influence he had last season with his sharp and incisive play between the lines.
Evann Guessand, 4 – Started brightly but was ineffective as the first half went on and was subsequently replaced at the break. Shame that he couldn’t have a bigger influence in his full debut, but hopefully a chance for him to adapt to the Premier League and continue to improve.
Ollie Watkins, 4 – Starved of consistent service, but he had a big chance in the first half and couldn’t find the finish. Similarly to many others, didn’t do enough to involve himself in our build-up play, as the only threat was when he peeled off into the channels and was an option in behind with a long ball.
Substitutes:
Emiliano Buendia, 6 – Made a positive impact as we improved after the half-time interval and it wasn’t a coincidence that it came when he was introduced.. Found pockets of space, showed for the ball to give his teammates an option and was able to link things together more effectively. Needs to add a decisive touch to that play though, provided he stays beyond tomorrow.
Brad Burrowes, 5 – Worked hard on and off the ball on his debut in an important, if not enjoyable, experience for the talented youngster.
Pau Torres, 4 – Did little to help us build pressure in the latter stages with Emery’s lack of options off the bench glaringly obviously.
Lucas Digne, N/A
Lamare Bogarde, N/A
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