WANDERERS (3-4-1-2)

 

JOEL DIXON…6.

Mixed bag. Swept up behind the back three well early on and may have been impeded for the first goal. Will be upset about a soft penalty but outwitted for Digne’s strike in the second half. Made some fine saves at the bitter end to keep the score down.

WILL AIMSON…6.5.

First outing for a while on the right side of the three and for an hour he did well. Villa’s pace and movement eventually won through.

RICARDO SANTOS…7.5.

Faded at the end – but it had been a fine effort from the captain, who was back on form after a Sheffield Wednesday blip.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…6.5.

Showed up really well in the early stages and used his range of passing to get Bradley going down the right. The last 15 minutes was tough, though.

CONOR BRADLEY…7.

Bolton’s biggest threat in the first half, pinning Digne and Co back with his non-stop raids down the right. Roles were reversed later on.

MJ WILLIAMS…7.

Had a thankless task at times trying to screen the central defenders and keep tabs on ex-Liverpool team-mate Coutinho but he stood up to the challenge.

KIERAN LEE…8.5.

Pure class on the night. Loads of energy, made great decisions, never seemed to waste the ball. Evatt has to use him sparingly but a joy to watch in this form.

DECLAN JOHN…6.5.

Worked hard up and down the left and never frightened to be the extra man in the penalty box. Made some good defensive contributions too.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…6.5.

Dropped in behind the front two, Afolayan linked up well in the first half and made a big contribution to the first goal.

ELIAS KACHUNGA…6.5.

His physicality isn’t always recognised but Kachunga never made it easy for Mings and Chambers, and went close with a couple of efforts on goal.

DION CHARLES…6.5.

Great to see him back buzzing around defenders and causing havoc. Got himself off the mark for the season. What a shame it didn’t count for more in the end.

Subs: Dempsey 5, 58 (for Kachunga) – Came into the game at a difficult time.

Bakayoko 71 (for Afolayan) – Struggled to make a dent.

Sadlier 81 (for Bradley) – The tide was only going one way by the time he arrived.

Not used: Trafford, Jones, Iredale, Morley, Thomason.

Aston Villa: Martinez 6; Young 6.5, Chambers 6.5, Mings 6.5, Digne 7; Coutinho 8.5, Kamara 6, Luiz 7, McGinn 6.5, Ings 7, Watkins 7.

Subs: Buendia 72 (for Coutinho), Ramsey 72 (for Ings), Bailey 72 (for Kamara), Archer 82 (for Ings), Iroegbunam 84 (for Luiz).

Not used: Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Feeney.

Referee: Andrew Kitchen 5/10 – Could have used some help from technology on the penalty but his decision making on the night was erratic. George Johnston was booked for his first foul, whereas Boubcar Kamara racked up five and never saw a card.

Attendance: 20,064