Youri Tielemans stuns, Marco Asensio stinks – Aston Villa ratings in win v Fulham
Youri Tielemans brilliant header against Fulham moved Aston Villa a step closer to Champions League football next year.
Wasted chances from both sides was the main talking point in the Villains’ victory over the Whites in an entertaining back-and-forth match.
Tielemans opened the scoring for the home side with a smart header in the 12th minute, following a wonderful corner from John McGinn.
Fulham thought they had equalised through the in-form Ryan Sessegnon, before Rob Jones disallowed the goal for a handball.
The result moves Villa level on points with Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, and Unai Emery’s side will face off against Bournemouth in their next match on 10 May.
Aston Villa claim nervy 1-0 win over Fulham
Emi Martinez – 8
Martinez may be on his way out of Aston Villa this summer, but the Argentine international was in fine form against a dangerous Fulham side.
Matty Cash – 5
Struggled up against Sessegnon and Iwobi who regularly swapped places throughout the afternoon.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Argumentative. Despite usually being the calmest player on the pitch, Konsa got into it with Emery midway through the second half when the Spaniard lost it thanks to some poor defending.
Pau Torres – 6
The Spaniard did enough to deal with Raul Jimenez but was unconvincing in his approach.
Ian Maatsen impresses for Aston Villa
Ian Maatsen (off for Digne 71′) – 7
A constant attacking threat whilst shutting down Iwobi, an impressive performance from the Dutchman.
Youri Tielemans (off for Barkley 83′) – 9 – Player of the Match
A class above. The Belgian international is usually the one to set-up Villa’s goals and despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, his bullet header gave Bernd Leno no chance.
Boubacar Kamara – 8
Aston Villa will offer a “historic” contract, and the Frenchman had the upper hand in the midfield battle all game long.
Kamara and Tielemans boss Aston Villa midfield
Morgan Rogers – 7
Dangerous. The England international was a threat all game long and absolutely should have scored.
Marco Asensio (off for Onana 60′) – 2
Utterly absent. Asensio may join Aston Villa permanently this summer, but having gone missing against Fulham, Emery may have some concerns over a deal.
John McGinn (off for Ramsey 61′) – 8
Began the game at right-wing and was relatively ineffectual, switched to the left-wing and became the danger man for Villa. Lovely delivery for Tielemans’ match-winner.
Ollie Watkins (off for Malen 70′) – 3
Wasteful. Failing to capitalise on his return to the starting line-up after Marcus Rashford’s injury. Wasted several massive chances for his side.
Ollie Watkins wasteful for Aston Villa
Substitutes
Amadou Onana (on for Asensio 60′) – 7
A marked improvement on Asensio, the Belgian international helped give Villa total control in the midfield battle.
Jacob Ramsey (on for McGinn 61′) – 5
Struggled to get into the action after coming off the bench.
Donyell Malen (on for Watkins 70′) – 6
Lively and exciting, timed his attacking runs fantastically but wasted several golden opportunities. Smacked an effort against the bar in the closing stages.
Lucas Digne (on for Maatsen 71′) – 8
Brought on to deal with the threat posed by Adama Traore and completely shut down the Spaniard.
Ross Barkley (on for Tielemans 83′) – 6
Saw little of the ball in the closing stages but was tidy in possession when he did.