Aston Villa player ratings: Who starred in Villa’s crucial win to boost top four hopes
Aston Villa returned to winning ways with a crucial victory over West Ham United to boost their top four hopes - here are our player ratings.
Emiliano Martinez
Produced an assured and composed display, largely untroubled but alert when required, particularly in the second-half as West Ham tested Villa’s resolve.
Reliable: 7
Matty Cash
Making his first start after injury, he showed early attacking intent, linking well with Sancho and contributing to forward moves while maintaining defensive discipline.
Encouraging: 7
Ezri Konsa
Commanded the defensive line with authority, distributing intelligently into midfield and maintaining composure under pressure, playing a key role in securing a disciplined clean sheet.
Commanding: 7
Pau Torres
Marked his 100th appearance with a calm and resilient performance, reading the game well, cutting out danger effectively and forming a strong partnership at the heart of defence.
Assured: 8
Lucas Digne
Offered attacking width and energy down the left flank, testing the goalkeeper with a powerful strike while remaining defensively solid and contributing to Villa’s overall balance.
Energetic: 8
Ross Barkley
A lively and influential presence in midfield, linking play cleverly, creating chances and contributing defensively with a vital second-half block that drew applause.
Industrious: 8
Amadou Onana
Displayed composure and control in midfield, using his physicality and passing ability to initiate attacks, providing a steady platform for Villa’s forward movement.
Composed: 8
John McGinn
Delivered a captain’s performance, scoring a superb curling effort to open the scoring and driving the team forward with relentless energy, leadership and attacking intent.
Inspiring: 8
Jadon Sancho
A threat on the right flank, creating opportunities with clever movement and quality delivery, including the set-piece assist, while troubling defenders with his pace and creativity.
Dangerous: 7
Morgan Rogers
Linked attacking play intelligently, stretching the defence with direct running and movement, and was unfortunate not to score, seeing a close-range effort denied.
Lively: 7
Ollie Watkins
Led the line with determination and purpose, eager to respond to international disappointment, and was rewarded with a well-taken goal after persistently troubling the West Ham defence.
Clinical: 8
Subs: Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 67): 7, Youri Tielemans (for McGinn, 67): 7, Douglas Luiz (for Barkley, 67): 7, Emiliano Buendia (for Rogers, 77): N/A, Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 87): N/A.
Not used: Bizot, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde.
