Aston Villa vs Wolves: Player ratings from stalemate in West Midlands derby

Tyrone Mings and Emi Martinez were the standout players for Aston Villa as they put up a strong defensive display in the second half

Emi Martinez denied Wolves several times

(PA)

Aston Villa and Wolves played out a goalless draw in the Premier League at Villa Park.

In a Midlands derby to forget, Aston Villa were frustrated to not be leading at the break as both Ollie Watkins and defender Ezri Konsa struck the crossbar.

In the second half, Wolves captain Connor Coady hit the post before Romain Saiss put the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.

A brilliant late save by Emiliano Martinez to deny Coady ensured that the game would stay goalless and the points shared.

The result leaves Aston Villa in ninth in the league standings, five points clear of 12^th-placed Wolves.

Aston Villa

Emiliano Martinez – 7. The Argentine was barely threatened, but made a cracking save to deny Coady with 15 minutes remaining.

Ahmed Elmohamady – 7. Standing in for the injured Matty Cash, the Egyptian dealt with Wolves’ threatening wingers well and defended well.

Tyrone Mings – 8. The England international proved once again why he is one of the top defenders in the league with a commanding performance.

Ezri Konsa – 6. The defender almost gave Villa the lead and was unlucky to see his effort strike the crossbar.

Matt Targett – 7. The left-back defended the ever-dangerous Neto well.

Douglas Luiz – 6. The Brazilian added steel to the Villa midfield, and helped maintain the home side’s tempo.

John McGinn – 7. McGinn returned to the starting team and showed what Villa have been missing in midfield with a combative performance.

Morgan Sanson – 7. The French midfielder made a good start to his first Midlands derby, showing off his fine ability with the ball at his feet.

Bertrand Traore – 5. Anonymous.

Trezeguet – 6. He threatened at times, and was finding space behind Semedo at will in the first half.

Ollie Watkins – 7. Watkins was unfortunate not to give Villa the lead with a spectacular strike that cannoned off the crossbar.

Substitutes:

Ross Barkley – 6.

Keinan Davis – 6.

Jacob Ramsey – 6.

Wolves

Rui Patricio – 6. Like Martinez, Patricio had little to do.

Leander Dendoncker – 6. The Belgian appeared to injure his calf when closing down Konsa and did enough as the defender hit the bar. He grew into the game as it went on and was arguably Wolves’ best defender.

Conor Coady – 5. Wolves’ captain struggled to get to grips with Watkins in the first half, but found his feet as the visitors began to take control. Hit the post with a header.

Romain Saiss – 6. Saiss was dominant in the air, but he gave the ball away in a dangerous area more than once. Should have scored, but missed an open goal after Coady’s header hit the post.

Nelson Semedo – 4. Almost every positive move by Aston Villa came down the right-hand side – that was not a coincidence. Semedo got forward fairly well, but defended poorly.

Jonny – 6. The wing-back made a crucial intervention to deny a golden Villa opportunity early in the game.

Joao Moutinho – 5. The Portuguese international was slow in midfield and struggled when out of possession, particularly when Villa were countering.

Ruben Neves – 6. Neves’ shooting was uncharacteristically inaccurate during a quiet day for the central midfielder.

Adama Traore – 6. One of his quieter days, but Traore was still a danger in possession.

Pedro Neto – 6. The winger was, once again, Wolves’ most dangerous player. Unfortunately, his end product was poor today.

Willian Jose – 4. His performance today embodied his Wolves move: underwhelming, and frankly not good enough.

Substitutes:

Fabio Silva – 6.