John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery's side defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League
Donyell Malen doubled Aston Villa's lead
Donyell Malen doubled Aston Villa's lead(Image: PA)
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Aston Villa made it three wins from four in the Europa League league phase after beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 at Villa Park.
Ian Maatsen opened the scoring for Villa late in the first half, capping off a first period that had lacked intensity and quality, before Donyell Malen bagged a penalty before the hour mark.
Jadon Sancho created the game’s first notable chance in the 19th minute, skipping past a Maccabi player before laying the ball into Malen’s path. The Dutch forward took the ball in his stride and worked an angle to shoot inside the box, but his effort was blocked and trickled wide.
Shortly after, Sancho inadvertently helped set up Maccabi’s first opportunity, as a misplaced pass allowed the visitors to counter from a dangerous position. Dor Peretz slipped the ball to Osher Davida, but the winger couldn’t beat Emi Martinez, with Victor Lindelof making a crucial block.
Morgan Rogers, making his 13th start of the season, looked lively in the 28th minute as he drove Villa forward, charging past two Maccabi midfielders before being brought down by Raz Shlomo. Rogers immediately rose and confronted his opponent, pointing at him to show his frustration at the cynical foul.
Maccabi still struggled to contain Villa’s number 27, who again broke into the box shortly afterward, only to be denied by goalkeeper Roi Mishpati.
After chances at both ends for Peretz and Malen, Villa’s left-back Maatsen ensured his side would head into halftime with the lead. Rogers flicked the ball into his path inside the box, and Maatsen fired it off the top of the bar and into the far corner from a tight angle - a rare moment of quality in the first half.
Maccabi had the first big chance of the second half, one which Peretz really should have taken, but Martinez read exactly where he wanted to place the ball from around 12 yards out.
Moments later, Konsa was pulled by Madmon inside the box and Malen converted the penalty.
Villa came into the game having lost to Liverpool, ending a five-match winning streak in the league. They had also been defeated in Europe nine days earlier by Go Ahead Eagles.
Having previously beaten Bologna and Feyenoord in their first two Europa League games, Villa could be well-positioned for a top two finish if they can secure consecutive wins again when they host BSC Young Boys in three weeks.
Ian Maatsen scored his first of the season
Ian Maatsen scored his first of the season
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Player ratings
Emi Martinez Martinez came off his line well and made an important save in the 39th minute when Peretz drove a hard, low ball across the box from the left. He made an even more crucial stop against Peretz in the 55th minute, as the Maccabi midfielder controlled the ball around the penalty spot before trying to beat the Argentine. The only blot on his performance was a sloppy pass out from the back. 7
Victor Lindelof Lindelof blocked Davida's shot in the first half but struggled to cope with the pace of Helio Varela down the flank. He moved to centre-back for the final part of the game and competed well. 6
Ezri Konsa Konsa captained the side and was relatively untroubled throughout. He won the penalty that gave Villa the cushion they needed. 8*
Pau Torres Torres looked a little suspect defensively in the first half, but his progressive numbers were high as usual. The Spaniard was rested after an hour, coming off for Boubacar Kamara to play in midfield. 7
Ian Maatsen Maatsen had the perfect opportunity to impress tonight and opened the scoring for Villa just before half-time with a top finish. He also created a chance for Malen after flashing the ball across the face of goal closer to the break. 8
Amadou Onana Onana made an excellent sliding tackle in the 21st minute, denying Elad Madmon progress into the penalty area. He kept play ticking over nicely with a few accurate switches of the ball. 7
Lamare Bogarde Bogarde played alongside Onana in the double pivot. He had a difficult first 30 minutes and looked slightly off the pace, though he wasn’t alone. He started to grow into the game as it went on and showed his versatility by moving to right-back for the final 30 minutes, where he impressed. 7
Evann Guessand Guessand was a willing runner down the right and battled, but didn’t create much quality. He is still adapting to what Emery wants from him, but the Villa boss is giving him every chance to do so as quickly as possible. 6
Morgan Rogers Rogers charged forward in the 29th minute, skipping past two helpless Maccabi midfielders before being taken down. In the 35th minute, he bundled his way into the box and nearly beat the Maccabi goalkeeper. He came off in the 64th minute. 7
Jadon Sancho Sancho helped create Villa’s first chance of the game but also contributed to Maccabi’s first opportunity shortly after, as his pass was intercepted in a dangerous area. 7
Donyell Malen
Malen led the line instead of Ollie Watkins. His closest effort in the first period came towards the end of the half when the ball broke to him at the near post, but the goalkeeper managed to get a hand to his shot. He converted the penalty with aplomb. 8
SUBS
Boubacar Kamara (for Torres, 64'): Kamara played well after coming on. Not a bad option to help shore things up. 6
Ollie Watkins (for Rogers, 64'): Watkins could have done with a goal tonight, but didn't have the chance to find the net after coming on. 6
John McGinn (for Onana, 75'): N/A
Youri Tielemans (for Sancho, 75'): N/A
Emi Buendia (for Guessand, 75'): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Oakley, Cash, Digne, Elliott, Barkley, Broggio.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Maatsen (45+1'), Malen (59')
Maccabi Tel Aviv: N/A
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