Player Match Ratings: A convincing and extremely comfortable win!

[John]

There seemed to be quite a gulf between these two teams last night, but I suppose there is. After all, we are now eighth and our visitors have now slipped to fifth from the bottom. There are also now ten points between us, and we have played two less games than they have.  

We moved back into the top half of the table again last night. In doing so, we moved above Arsenal and Chelsea, with two games in hand of both clubs. It has been a long time since we have been above both of those clubs, at this stage of the season.

This really was a walk in the park for us. We had an extra gear had we needed it, but we did not. Steve Bruce was fortunate to leave Villa Park with a second successive 2-0 defeat, it could so easily have been at least double that last night.

Newcastle’s realistic target for this season is probably a place in the top half of the bottom six, our target might soon become a place in the actual top six. For now, we should continue to take each game as it comes, but before too long surely, we will be considered credible contenders for European qualification for the first time in ten years.  

Two wins from our next two games would see us with the same number of points that we got during the whole of last season, at the half-way stage of this one. We are already in with an excellent chance of getting our first top half finish in the PL for ten years. What a pity it is, that none of us have been able to take our places at Villa Park, during this of all seasons.      

We were well worth our two-goal lead at half time. We were able to sit back during the last quarter of the game, with an eye on conserving our energy for more difficult games that are to come, in the knowledge that our defence was highly unlikely to concede one, let alone two goals. Our defence really is so very solid. A clean sheet was always their target yesterday and it was one that was achieved by our resolute back four and keeper, without them being put under any noticeable pressure from our visitors.      

Newcastle arrived at Villa Park on the crest of a slump and they now look on the verge of another grim relegation battle. They will take heart from the seven-point gap between themselves and the bottom three, but not from their performance last night, when they were well and easily beaten.       

My player ratings from a game that left us wanting to ask Brucie “Can we play you every week?” are:

Emiliano Martinez – 7 – Easily gathered a weak 4th minute shot from Almiron to his left. Given little to do but what he did he did, in his usual exemplary fashion.

Matty Cash – 7 – Another good performance and like Matt looked good when getting forward.

Ezri Konsa – 8 – What an impressive central defensive pair we now have. Ezri just gets better and better. He was so solid at the back again last night and if he does not claim the ball then Tyrone does.

Tyrone Mings – 7 – Headed an 83rd minute Grealish free kick wide of the right-hand post, from near the penalty spot. Was in the right place at the right time to head a 23rd minute Lascelles.header to safety from inside the 6-yard box.

Matt Targett – 8 – Hit a 5th minute shot from outside of the box firmly, but straight at Darlow and then put over a nice cross 5 minutes later, that Watkins was just unable to reach, to help into the net. He was a real threat moving forward and had an assist for the opening goal.                

Ross Barclay - 7 – Headed a Traore free-kick just wide of the right-hand post on 17 minutes. Traore played the ball into the box on 68 minutes, Watkins headed it from the left edge of the 6-yard box towards Ross, who back heeled the ball just over the bar and past the far post.  

Marvelous Nakamba – 7 – Slotted in nicely in John McGinn’s absence. The ball fell to him on the edge of the box in the 2nd minute of first half stoppage time, but his shot flew a couple of yards wide of the left-hand post.

Douglas Luiz – 7 – Hit a 44th minute shot just wide of the right-hand post, from just outside of the box and kept the midfield ticking.

Jack Grealish – 8 – Got an assist for the second and was unlucky not to add a third on 73 minutes. Barclay picked up the ball inside his own half and ran to near the edge of their box, before playing the ball to Jack inside the left of the penalty area. Jack then hit a shot that was bound for the top right-hand corner, before taking a slight deflection off a defender that just sent it out for a corner. Jack like Barclay, with whom he works so well were clearly unhappy to be substituted late in the game, but with him one booking away from a ban, the decision was the right one.    

Bertrand Traore – 8 – Hit home our second on 33 minutes to put the game beyond any reasonable doubt. Darlow punched a corner out to the edge of the box, which fell to Marvelous, who played the ball left for Bert, who in turn played the ball wide left for Jack. Our captain ran into the box and pulled the ball back and across to Bert, who had run into the box. The ball was just itching to be hit and Bert side footed it just underneath the right of the crossbar, applying just the sort of finish, a move of that quality had deserved. Constantly involved yesterday.                                      

Ollie Watkins – 8 – MOTM – Worked tremendously hard throughout, moving from one side to the other to cause opposing defenders’ frequent problems. He also headed home our first after 13 minutes. Targett played a one-two with Jack on the left, before hitting a cross that bounced up off Schar invitingly towards Ollie, who headed the ball past the advancing Darlow and into the net. The keeper had for some reason, seemed intent in colliding with Ollie, with his hands down at his side, but seemed to think better of it. Netted again on 33 minutes, but he was just offside as he made his run for the ball. Barclay found Ollie near the edge of the area, who ran into the left of the box, before hitting a 46th minute shot, that Darlow blocked with his legs. The loose ball was partially cleared by a defender and then flicked wide of the left-hand post by Douglas.  

Substitutes:

Anwar El Ghazi – Replaced Barclay on 80minutes. Not on long enough to earn a rating. 

Mahmood Trezuguet – Came on for El Ghazi after 80 minutes. Might have added a late third on 94 minutes, when he turned the ball to the left of Darlow, who managed to get a hand to it, to keep it out of the net. Not on long enough to gather a rating.

Jacob Ramsey – Replaced Jack on 88 minutes. He was also not on long enough to earn a rating.

Up the Villa!

John Lewis

[blandy]

I think most of those marks are generous, to be honest John. Most of the payers were a way off what they're capable of, IMO.

Targett, Marvellous and Traore were all very good and 7 or 8 out of 10. But I thought on Luiz, Jack & Ross Barclay that they were ordinary by their normal high standards - sort of 6 out of 10 for flashes of talent and excellence, but if the oppo had been half decent they'd have needed to up their games a good deal.

Still, it's nice to win comfortably.

[MotoMkali]

Mings should definitely have a higher rating than konsa. Mings cleaned up after a konsa mistake like 4 times. 

[John]

7 hours ago, blandy said:

I think most of those marks are generous, to be honest John. Most of the payers were a way off what they're capable of, IMO.

Targett, Marvellous and Traore were all very good and 7 or 8 out of 10. But I thought on Luiz, Jack & Ross Barclay that they were ordinary by their normal high standards - sort of 6 out of 10 for flashes of talent and excellence, but if the oppo had been half decent they'd have needed to up their games a good deal.

Still, it's nice to win comfortably.

I do agree with points that you have made. The key issue for me is, should players be marked lower because we have grown accustomed to them consistently performing at a higher than average level? I try not to, it is the same with players that are not quite at their level, should their markings reflect a lower expectation? I try to measure each marking equally and use the wording to indicate whether their performances were clearly above or below, what they usually give. In the same way, the strength or otherwise of the opposition, is a factor but a player's marking, would not necessarily always reflect that, given that to an extent, a really good performance can be given whatever the opposition.

Thanks very much for taking the time to make your points, which I will gladly take onboard. I agree that I gave the odd 7 where the choice was between that and a 6 for example and may have been on the generous, rather than on the mean side on this occasion. I agree, it is a fine thing to run out comfortable winners.

[John]

7 hours ago, MotoMkali said:

Mings should definitely have a higher rating than konsa. Mings cleaned up after a konsa mistake like 4 times. 

It is a matter of opinions and your opinion is equally as valid as my own. I viewed it differently and thought Konsa shaded it last night, although they both did very well and handled their opponents comfortably. Thanks for taking the time to read this and give your opinion. 

[blandy]

Don’t get me wrong John, it’s totally subjective, my thoughts, your thoughts...I like reading how you saw it.

[AJ]

Very good, @John.

I enjoy reading your reviews.

[John]

14 hours ago, blandy said:

Don’t get me wrong John, it’s totally subjective, my thoughts, your thoughts...I like reading how you saw it.

No worries, I hadn't. That is how I see it too. I think that we all have our own views and opinions on various topics (including player ratings).They won't always be an exact match, but more often than not they won't be too far apart either. I enjoy reading your posts too Blandy.