Aston Villa: Player grades in 2-1 victory with Fulham
By Josh Tonti
Aston Villa Football Club saw off a challenging Fulham side at Villa Park – winning 2-1 courtesy of Albert Adomah’s winner.
Aston Villa started Saturday afternoon a bit on the slow side. Fulham’s wonder talent Ryan Sessegnon marauded the Villa right flank twice in the first ten minutes.
Sam Johnstone, fortunately, saved a tame point-blank effort.
Thereafter, Villa were thoroughly on the front foot. Jonathan Kodjia held the play up well, with several incisive dribbling moves. Conor Hourihane, arguably the league’s best central midfielder, dinked the ball everywhere with his incredible passing range and superb dead-ball delivery.
It was that dead ball delivery that credited John Terry with his first Aston Villa goal.
Here's how the EFL games look at half time. Oxford & Accrington looking strong, Sheff Utd & Derby in control, no shots for Hull & Fleetwood: pic.twitter.com/37sc7adY9s
— Ben Mayhew (@experimental361) October 21, 2017
Fulham equalized through a free kick conceded by Alan Hutton. Despite the narrow score line, Villa dominated the first-half. More correctly, the defense smothered the Fulham attack.
Albert Adomah scored the winner in the 48th-minute. It was a tap-in that Jonathan Kodjia whiffed on right in front of net.
Villa pick-up another three points in the EFL Championship.
GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE. 6.0. Could not deal with Fulham’s equalizing free kick in first-half stoppage time. Other than that, it was a quiet evening for the on-loan Manchester United ‘keeper.
5.0. Fulham’s 17-year old wonder kid Ryan Sessegnon gave Elmohamady headaches all afternoon along the Villa right flank. Beaten several times for pace.. RB. Aston Villa. AHMED ELMOHAMADY
6.0. Not quite his commanding self in central defence; James Chester conceded a pair of free kicks in the Villa half. Had to cover for Ahmed Elmohamady several times.. RCB. . JAMES CHESTER
6.5. Really solid match from John Terry, who scored his first Aston Villa goal to put the claret and blue ahead. Off a Conor Hourihane dead ball, the 36-year old connected, blasting past Fulham’s David Button. LCB. Aston Villa. JOHN TERRY
The left side held up better than the right side, but Alan Hutton was not nearly as impressive as he had been against Wolves. He will probably retain his spot until Neil Taylor returns from suspension. Completed just 50% of his passes on 29 touches.. LB. Aston Villa. ALAN HUTTON. 5.0
5.5. Despite the added presence of Josh Onomah in central midfield, Glenn Whelan failed to dictate play in his number six role. Not a bad performance, but the club definitely wants more from the Republic of Ireland international. Improved in the second-half, completing 86% of his passes.. CDM. Aston Villa. GLENN WHELAN
7.0. Conversely, Conor Hourihane really impressed at Villa Park. He assisted John Terry’s opener and kept pressing for more time on the ball. Nearly every touch was a positive one.. CM. Aston Villa. CONOR HOURIHANE
Aston Villa. JOSH ONOMAH. 6.0. Onomah replaced Keinan Davis in the starting lineup and did okay. The Spurs youngster was not overly commanding in the number ten hole, but produced a few moments of quality.. AM
Snodgrass saw lots of the ball, but not too much of it in the attacking zone. The Scotland international covered a ton of ground in the defensive zone. Replaced by Ritchie De Laet in the 80th-minute.. RW. Aston Villa. ROBERT SNODGRASS. 6.0
6.5. Combative, quick, got into good positions. Jonathan Kodjia did not get on the score sheet, but he profoundly impacted the match for Aston Villa. Was a little bit sloppy on the ball today, expect big things to come. Replaced by Keinan Davis in the 72nd-minute.. CF. Aston Villa. JONATHAN KODJIA
Albert Adomah continued his torrid scoring pace by adding Villa’s second. Powerful and creative drive from the left flank – our man of the match. Replaced by Birkir Bjarnason in the 87th-minute.. LW. Aston Villa. ALBERT ADOMAH. 7.5
The Second City Derby awaits next week.