Aston Villa fail to beat ten-man Middlesbrough side after early dismissal
By Josh Tonti
Thanks to one-time Villan Adama Traore, Aston Villa drew a ten-man Middlesbrough side at home. The Spanish winger received his marching orders after four minutes after a late challenge on Conor Hourihane.
Aston Villa utterly dominated Middlesbrough at home.
Normally that sentence would bring tears to supporters’ eyes, but not on Tuesday. Villa drew a ten-man Boro team after Adama Traore was sent off in the fourth minute. Villa held 71% possession with a further eighteen shots, but could not break down Darren Randolph’s net.
The match saw the return of Jonathan Kodjia as a 75th-minute substitute. The Ivorian nearly scored on a header, only for this resulting play to occur (the save kicked out to Conor Hourihane below):
It’s getting ugly for manager Steve Bruce. Owner Tony Xia, who is running out of patience, is looking for a reason to sack, in order to spark the club up the table.
Aston Villa collected 1 win, 4 draws, and two losses from their opening seven league matches. A -2 goal differential.
7.0. Sam Johnstone was left entirely alone after Boro received a red card. A ten-man side lead by Britt Assombalonga was not enough to trouble the on-loan Manchester United ‘keeper. Two clean sheets running for SJ.. GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE
6.0. Playing in a maiden position for Aston Villa, Ahmed Elmohamady made the most at right back. Due to the presence of other right wingers, Robert Snodgrass and Albert Adomah, we may see Elmo on the backline more often. His positioning was strong, but his crossing lacked incisiveness needed to carve two blocks of four. Boro LW Stewart Downing was never going to trouble down a man.. RB. Aston Villa. AHMED ELMOHAMADY
7.0. Solid, dependable, kept another clean sheet. Rinse and repeat for James Chester – who very much is Premier League quality. Made a few forays into midfield for ball cycling.. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER
Aston Villa. JOHN TERRY. 6.0. Terry gets bumped down a grade because he lost his marker on a wide open cross; fortunately for Villa, Britt Assombalonga headed over from five yards out.. LCB
Solid, above-average match from Neil Taylor. With Adama Traore unavailable to terrorize the flank, Taylor pushed way up. Showed some adeptness crossing with both feet, and almost had an assist if Henri Lansbury finished his chance in the first half.. LB. Aston Villa. NEIL TAYLOR. 6.5
6.5. Jedinak was taken off at halftime for whatever reason. However, he put in a good first half shielding the backline.. CDM. Aston Villa. MILE JEDINAK
3.0. Moronic decision from Henri Lansbury cost Villa dearly. Sent off in the 63rd-minute for a professional foul with zero attempt at winning the ball.. CM. Aston Villa. HENRI LANSBURY
Aston Villa. CONOR HOURIHANE. 6.5. We like Conor Hourihane more when he scores hat tricks. Jokes aside, Hourihane cycled the ball well and played in several dangerous through balls. Even some of his long-distance efforts were hit well. Was forced into CDM after Lansbury’s red card.. CM
6.0. Like the rest of Villa: played well, created often, ultimately did not score.. RW. Aston Villa. ROBERT SNODGRASS
Aston Villa. KEINAN DAVIS. 6.5. For whatever unknown reasons(s), Aston Villa elected to not play through Keinan Davis centrally. Everything was thrown out from the wide areas via crosses. Use Davis’ hold-up play, Steve Bruce. Completed 94.7% of his passes.. CF
4.5. Eh, a bit disappointing from Bjarnason. Created from a few crosses, but did not bring much to the table. He was sacrificed for Albert Adomah at halftime (who should have been starting).. LW. Aston Villa. BIRKIR BJARNASON
Villa go again at the weekend, but honestly, promotion is too far gone.