Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United: Player ratings in 4-1 disaster

Two errors resulted in Sheffield United goals. The other two conceded were, at minimum, feasible saves. It’s been a difficult start to Nyland’s Villa career, even accounting for a few dramatic saves.. GK. Aston Villa. ORJAN NYLAND. 2.5

4.0. 69% passing accuracy and got beat for Sheffield’s opening set piece goal. There’s a good clip of Tuanzebe outracing James Chester and a Blades’ attacker for an interception – a clear indication he should be playing centre-half.. RB. Aston Villa. AXEL TUANZEBE

3.0. Uncharacteristically terrible start to the season for the Aston Villa captain. A worrying sign, if I’m to be completely honest.. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER

Bad, but not nearly as bad as Chester.. LCB. Aston Villa. MILE JEDINAK. 4.0

3.0. Has Alan Hutton lost his renaissance luster? He’s been a huge liability for Aston Villa this season.. LB. Aston Villa. ALAN HUTTON

4.5. Consistently bullied in midfield as Whelan was asked to cover too much ground. The injuries to John McGinn and Jack Grealish limited their effectiveness and pressing ability. Steve Bruce’s inability to forecast this was a huge tactical failure. <strong>Assisted El Ghazi’s goal.</strong>. CDM. Aston Villa. GLENN WHELAN

5.0. Can’t really say anything noteworthy of Elmohamady’s performance on the wing.. RM. Aston Villa. AHMED ELMOHAMADY

5.5. Two key passes, and 98% passing accuracy. Grealish wasn’t all that effective carrying an injury, but he tried to grind through it. Needs to work on getting less shots immediately blocked.. CM. Aston Villa. JACK GREALISH

4.5. There’s just something about John McGinn being the second-deepest midfielder that’s unsettling. He’s plays too wild and all over the place for Villa to effectively set-up in the low block. I’m not quite sure what to make of this, as he’s clearly one of Villa’s top-5 players.. CM. Aston Villa. JOHN MCGINN

5.5. Villa’s <strong>sole goalscorer</strong> enjoyed a better evening than most. That doesn’t mean he was particularly good though.. LM. Aston Villa. ANWAR EL GHAZI

CF. Aston Villa. JONATHAN KODJIA. 4.5. Ineffectual against three Sheffield centre-halves. That’s more a result of tactical failure than a damnation of his play, however.