Matty Cash scored a wonderful goal from outside of the area to earn Aston Villa a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City.placeholder image
Matty Cash scored a wonderful goal from outside of the area to earn Aston Villa a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City. | Getty Images
Player ratings from Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City in the Premier League.
Matty Cash’s stunning first-half strike was enough to earn Aston Villa a hard-fought 1-0 victory over title challengers Manchester City at Villa Park. In doing so, Unai Emery’s side recorded their fourth successive Premier League victory to soar up to seventh in the standings, level on points with champions Liverpool.
The only goal came in the 19th minute as a short corner routine paid dividends, Cash throttling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner after Lucas Digne laid short and Emiliano Buendia fizzed the ball to the edge of the area. Cash composed himself with a steady touch before unleashing a powerful effort on his weaker left foot, giving Gianluigi Donnarumma no chance.
Erling Haaland, who had scored in 11 successive matches for club and country before his trip to Villa Park, had City’s best opportunities. The Norwegian saw three efforts saved by Emiliano Martinez throughout, including one shot as he sprinted clean through just minutes after Cash’s goal and two second-half headers.
Haaland thought he’d netted a last-gasp equaliser in the 89th minute as he slid in at the far post to convert from a low Omar Marmoush cross, but the Norwegian was denied by the lineman’s flag. Marmoush was caught narrowly offside, devastating Haaland, who was hurt as he clattered into the post.
John McGinn went close to doubling Villa’s advantage on the half-hour mark as he saw a 20-yard strike deflected merely inches wide of the right post but Villa were otherwise unable to craft many more opportunities. That didn’t matter, though, as Emery’s men dug in to maintain a robust defensive structure and hold on for a pivotal three points.
Goalkeeper and defence ratings
Emiliano Martinez - The World Cup winner made a decent stop to deny Haaland in the first period. Martinez made a further two saves in the second half, both from Haaland headers. He made several important claims, too. 8
Matty Cash - The right-back scored a wonderful goal to open the scoring, whipping with power into the far side netting. Cash deserved his goal - his fourth since the start of September - as he covered plenty of ground both defensively and offensively, making several important interceptions and always seeking Watkins in behind. 9*
Ezri Konsa - Robust as ever, Konsa hardly gave Haaland a sniff. The defender often stepped up to make crucial interceptions and he cleared away at least half a dozen City crosses. Konsa was pretty faultless with the ball at his feet, too. 8
Pau Torres - Carrying on his strong vain of form, Pau was pivotal to beating the first line of City’s press with his incisive passing. He also did well to mop up the odd loose ball here and there. One of his clearances was particularly memorable as he fired away at the goalmouth from Savinho’s volley. 8
Lucas Digne (off 86’) - Digne did a great job of containing the likes of Savinho and Bobb throughout. The left-back was also effective going forward as he put some useful crosses into the area. He also took the short corner before Cash’s goal. 7
Midfield and attack ratings
Boubacar Kamara - Villa’s number 44 battled hard and came out on top more often than not against the likes of Reijnders and Bernardo. Kamara dropped in as a third centre-back many times to help his side defend their lead. Kamara did pick up a yellow for a foul on Foden, mind. 7
Amadou Onana - The Belgian battled terrifically at the base of midfield as he broke up the play, often crunching in with important tackles. Onana’s presence made it difficult for City to win enough duels in midfield to properly mount a challenge. He also took a powerful Foden shot flush to the face late on, showcasing his bravery. 8
John McGinn (off 74’) - The skipper exerted so much energy and he used his experience well to win some fouls to help Villa regain control at key moments. McGinn was unlucky not to score as his shot was deflected just wide midway through the first half. He had another chance in the second half as he volleyed from a corner but it was blocked. 7
Emiliano Buendia (off 29’) - It was a great shame to see Buendia forced off with an ankle injury. The Argentine, who has been in great form lately, assisted Cash’s goal with a terrific pass to the edge of the area, straight from the training pitch. 7
Morgan Rogers - Back in form, Rogers caused all sorts of problems for City’s midfielders as he used his quick feet and physicality to break forward on the transition on several occasions. 7
Ollie Watkins (off 86’) - The England international didn’t have any clear-cut opportunities to score but he was brilliant with his hold-up play. Watkins also worked hard to press from the front, helping contain City as they attempted to pass out from the back. 7
Jadon Sancho (on 29’, off 74’) - Sancho looked like he was running through treacle at times but he did make himself a threat occasionally. The Manchester United loanee’s best moment came as he forced a double save from Donnarumma at the near post. 6
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