Villa were in action this morning to keep players ticking over during the international break but they lost 2-1 to Elche and suffered a fresh injury problem
Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho
Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
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Aston Villa suffered an injury scare to Jadon Sancho as a last-minute goal from Álvaro Rodríguez sealed Elche a 2-1 win at the Pinatar Arena.
Villa had been in cruise control after a header from Pau Torres midway through the half, but lost their momentum when Sancho suffered a shoulder injury after a tackle from Gonzalo Villar.
Federico Redondo equalised before the break and Villa then had to concede possession for large spells after the break as substitutions interrupted the flow of the game. And with the last kick of the game, Alvaro struck past substitute goalkeeper James Wright to secure the victory.
That had not looked on the cards in the first half as a Villa team, which included Tammy Abraham and Emi Buendia, started brightly.
They created an opportunity within two minutes when Pau Torres played a ball through the thirds to pick out Harvey Elliott.
The on-loan Liverpool attacker slid a super pass into the feet of Tammy Abraham who struck an effort across goal but he was denied by Iñaki Peña Sotorres.
Elliott was pulling the strings in attack and they combined again moments later when another excellent move ended with Abraham bouncing a shot wide of the post.
Iñaki Peña then denied Elliott as Villa completely dominated possession for the opening 20 minutes, letting the ball do the work in the heat.
You sensed it would not be long before Unai Emery's team found the breakthrough and it arrived from a set-piece when Douglas Luiz's corner was met by Pau Torres who directed it into the far corner.
Rafa Mir did return fire for Elche with a header that crept wide of the post before Sancho had to come off with a shoulder injury after a tackle from Gonzalo Villar.
That appeared to disrupt Villa's momentum as Yago Santiago should have fired Elche level as the game crept towards the interval and Redondo did haul them level after showing neat feet inside the box before guiding past Marco Bizot.
Elche then took control of the game in the second half without being particularly threatening. Redondo headed wide before Brian Madjo, on as a substitute, went close for Villa.
But Alvaro sealed the win with the last kick of the game when he steered past Wright.
Marco Bizot: Could have put up a deckchair for the opening 40 minutes, given the lack of threat from Elche, but the defending for Redondo's equaliser was poor. That ruined a clean sheet. 6
Andres Garcia: Got forward to support the attack when he could, and he looked assured in everything he did without being spectacular. Did fine. 6
Tyrone Mings: A comfortable performance from the centre-back who was never really put under any sustained pressure in the first half. Was taken off after 60 minutes. 5
Pau Torres: Cool and calm in possession, although one poor clearance in the first half did give Elche a sniff. But certainly the best of the centre-backs. 7
Ian Maatsen: Like Garcia, he tried to have an influence when going forwards when the opportunity arose. Not a lung-bursting performance but was never going to be in the heat. 5
Douglas Luiz: Just sat in midfield and just kept Villa ticking over. Played one pass to Ollie Watkins in the second half that led to a chance to Brian Madjo. 6
Ross Barkley: Showed some flashes of quality while he was on as Villa started strongly but the injury to Sancho just disrupted their momentum. Will keep him ticking over. 5
Emi Buendia: Had hearts in mouths when he took a tumble in the second half and appeared to injure his shoulder. But managed to overcome it. Busy without really exerting any influence after the break. 5.5
Harvey Elliott: Was superb in the first half as he picked up excellent spaces in between the lines and created chances for Tammy Abraham. May not have played many games owing to a farcical situation, but was sharp. 8
Jadon Sancho: Looked lively and linked up well with Elliott going forwards, but unfortunately suffered what looked to be a bad shoulder injury, which is a headache Villa don't need. 5
Tammy Abraham: Started well and had a good opportunity inside the first couple of minutes, but didn't maintain that level and just seemed to fade. Was taken off after an hour. 5
Subs
Ollie Watkins (Sancho 40): Barely had a sniff when he came on. 5
Brian Madjo (Abraham 61): Had one opportunity in the second half. 5
TJ Carroll (Mings 61): Came on at centre-back and did fine. 5
James Wright (Bizot 76): Conceded at the death. 5
Ashton McWilliams (Garcia 76): Got involved when he came on. 5
Mohamed Kone (Torres 76): Did okay. 5
Luca Lynch (Buendia 87): Not enough time to get involved. N/A
Max Jenner (Luiz 87): As above.
Woody Burgess (Maatsen 87): Had a few minutes. N/A
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