Aston Villa 2-0 Rotherham: Player ratings in turnaround victory

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa’s 2-0 victory over Rotherham United provided the club a much-needed three points.

For the first time in a month, Aston Villa Football Club recorded a victory.

From the first minute, Steve Bruce’s team dominated The Millers in front of a large Villa Park crowd. Tuesday’s match offered supporters a new look in formation – one much different from Bruce’s preferred 5-man midfield with a defined No. 6.

Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia partnered up-top while Anwar El Ghazi and Jack Grealish featured in outside midfield roles. The partnership worked early on as Abraham scored the opening goal, officially assisted by Kodjia, and created by Grealish. Villa were able to separate themselves late in the second half with a maiden goal from winger Yannick Bolasie, assisted by Ahmed Elmohamady.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but Villa held Rotherham to 40% possession and three shots-on-target. Though cleaner, defensive issues continued as well with two huge let-offs for the club.