Claret Villans
Fansided

Aston Villa player ratings: Villa vs. Ipswich Town – April 21

By Josh Tonti

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Lewis Grabban of Aston Villa celebrates scoring the second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Lewis Grabban of Aston Villa celebrates scoring the second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Lewis Grabban, Josh Onomah, Jack Grealish and Co. pummeled Ipswich Town at Portman Road to the tune of 4-0. Aston Villa kept the pressure on Cardiff City and Fulham for the race to 2nd-place.

Before we get into the grades, I want to say full credit to Steve Bruce on the afternoon.

Amid a firestorm of disappointment the last month-and-a-half or so, Bruce managed to eviscerate a decent Ipswich Town away from home. Oh, and he and the squad did it while resting: John Terry, Jonathan Kodjia, Albert Adomah and Robert Snodgrass.

Fair play to the manager. Now, without further ado, our player ratings:

Johnstone had a few nervy moments in net, most notably, a bobbled right-wing cross in the first half. Still, he kept a clean sheet with one comfortable save. WhoScored has him down for under 50% passing, however.. GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE. 6.5

AHMED ELMOHAMADY. 6.5. Elmohamady once again nearly led Aston Villa in touches with 112(!). The Egyptian international was much more confident in his defending, with several good headed clearances and powerful seal-outs.. RB. Aston Villa

7.0. No complaints here on the Villa captain. Chester had one excellent interception and 90% + passing accuracy.. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER

6.5. Full credit to Mile Jedinak, the center back. Jedi has transitioned well into defense after a few terrible appearances at the position earlier in the season. 6 total aerial duels won by the Australia international. A full off-season devoted to the position could extend his playing career a couple more years.. LCB. Aston Villa. MILE JEDINAK

6.5. Neil Taylor survived a full-on leg breaker that sent off Ipswich’s Grant Ward. Replaced in the 64th-minute by Scott Hogan, but Taylor was solid today.. LB. Aston Villa. NEIL TAYLOR

7.5. The game flew by Glenn Whelan early on, but the Republic of Ireland international rebounded nicely. One key pass, 89% passing, and performed as a comfortable shield ahead of the backline.. CDM. Aston Villa. GLENN WHELAN

Aston Villa. JOSH ONOMAH. 9.0. Steve Bruce can’t drop Josh Onomah at the moment. <strong>Two assists, </strong>four key passes and 93% passing accuracy. The on-loan Spurs player excelled drifting inward from his right midfield position.. RM

BIRKIR BJARNASON. 7.5. Bjarnason nearly completed the game without an incomplete pass. <strong>Assisted </strong>Lansbury’s headed goal to make it 4-0.. CM. Aston Villa

7.5. <strong>One goal, </strong>five total shots and another complete performance from Conor Hourihane. Replaced by Henri Lansbury in the 73rd, who found Villa’s fourth goal.. CM. Aston Villa. CONOR HOURIHANE

Jack Grealish was great, but for once, he was not the star of the show! Led Aston Villa with an incredible 113 touches.. LM. Aston Villa. JACK GREALISH. 8.0

9.0. <strong>Two goals </strong>for the on-loan Bournemouth forward. Grabban’s brace brings him to a whopping 19 goals in the Championship this season. A complete display as he dropped into midfield, drifted wide and finished resolutely. Taken off for Albert Adomah in the 84th-minute.. CF. Aston Villa. LEWIS GRABBAN

All data provided by WhoScored match center. Just two matches await Aston Villa until the play-offs (or, promotion should Cardiff and Fulham falter!). Derby County at home and Millwall away remain.

Home/Analysis