Aston Villa 1 Reading 1 - player ratings

Here we rate the players after an ultimately frustrating afternoon at Villa Park.

Orjan Nyland

The goalkeeper faced a test of character after Ipswich and has responded with two much more assured performances. Deserved a clean sheet after his superb double save. 7/10.

Axel Tuanzebe

The Manchester United loanee’s pace can be an asset at both ends of the pitch. Lost an aerial challenge in the build-up to the penalty decision. 6/10.

James Chester

Blotted his copybook with a rare error of judgement. The skipper seemed to cleanly win the ball but referee Darren England deemed otherwise. 6/10.

Mile Jedinak

The Australian international’s best performance of the season to date was not without a mistake which would have led to a leveller but for Nyland’s heroics. 6/10.

Alan Hutton

Looked shaky in the early stages but improved as the game went on. Lacks dynamism and a ruthless streak in the final third. 6/10.

Birkir Bjarnason

One poor first-half pass aside this was probably the Iceland international’s best performance of the season to date. Got through plenty of work in the middle of the park. 7/10.

Ahmed Elmohamady

A clever run into the box was rewarded when he bagged the opener and his second goal of the season. May soon find himself back at right-back once Bolasie is up to speed. 7/10.

Jack Grealish

This was already the playmaker’s most low-key outing of the season before he was subbed at the break. No doubting his quality, though he could sometimes do with upping the tempo. 6/10.

John McGinn

Another all-action performance from the Scot in the middle of the park, though frustratingly he often picked the wrong option. Should have squared to Kodjia in the first minute. 7/10.

Jonathan Kodjia

A frustrating afternoon for the striker, who worked tirelessly but was too often guilty of picking the wrong option. Infuriated Bruce when he shot over instead of squaring for a team-mate. 6/10.

Star Man

Anwar El Ghazi

The Netherlands international had only one training session with Villa before his debut. That showed when he tired in the second period but what came before it was wholly positive. Delivered the cross for Elmohamady’s goal. 7/10.

Substitutes

Conor Hourihane (for Grealish, HT)

Moved the ball well at times. Off target with a couple of shots. 6/10.

Albert Adomah (for El Ghazi, 67)

Lively but not for the first time this season lacked an end product. 6/10.

Neil Taylor (for Kodjia, 90+1)