Express & Star

Aston Villa 1 Fulham 0 - player ratings

We rate the players after Villa beat Fulham 1-0 to remain in the race for a top five Premier League place.

Published
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans scores the only goal of the game against Fulham
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans was on target (Nick Potts/PA)

Emi Martinez

Wasn’t seriously tested all match but held on to the two notable efforts the visitors did have on target, from Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson.

Assured 7

Matty Cash

Would have had an assist had Ollie Watkins not completely missed his kick in the opening minute of the second half. Big block from Andersen. A fine performance.

Committed 8

Ezri Konsa

Got involved in a heated exchange with Unai Emery during the second half but that only served to highlight the height of the stakes for his team.

Angry 7

Pau Torres

Maybe fortunate to keep his place after a poor showing at Wembley but this was a good performance. Made some important headers.

Better 7

Ian Maatsen

Back in the starting line-up and provided a threat down the left. Did his defensive work well too. His pace really is an asset.

Lively 7

Youri Tielemans

Scored the only goal of the game with a powerful header and would have had a second were it not for Leno’s fine save. At the heart of Villa’s best work.

Classy 8

Boubacar Kamara

Something of a return to form after a disappointing performance at Wembley. A couple of sloppy passes aside he dealt with everything.

Steady 6

John McGinn

Marked his 200th Premier League appearance with an assist. A typically dogged and committed performance from the skipper.

Driven 7

Marco Asensio

Some nice moments but it would be fair to say he has slipped some way from the heights of those early weeks at Villa. Needs to make a bigger impact.

Subdued 5

Morgan Rogers

Switched from the left to the right and was a nuisance on both flanks. Made some mistakes in the final third but showed impressive energy.

Moments 6

Ollie Watkins

Only registered 17 touches but another one might have produced a goal had he not completely missed Cash’s cross. Denied impressively by Leno.

Thwarted 5

Substitutes

Amadou Onana 7 (for McGinn, 60), Jacob Ramsey 7 (for Asensio, 60), Donyell Malen 6 (for Watkins, 70), Lucas Digne 7 (for Maatsen, 70), Ross Barkley (for Tielemans, 83) Subs not used: Mings, Garcia, Bailey, Olsen (gk).