Aston Villa player ratings after heavy Barrow defeat with Trophy qualification on the line

Aston Villa rounded off the group stage of their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Barrow at Holker Street on Tuesday night. The League Two outfit, managed by former Villa coach and Birmingham City midfielder Stephen Clemence, ran out comfortable winners in what was actually a dead rubber for them, thanks to goals from attackers Dom Telford, Theo Vassell and Andy Dallas.

Villa were trailing inside two minutes. Having built up a burgeoning attack which broke down, Barrow turned the young Villans back to front and Telford took his chance when spotting young Sam Proctor off of his line from way out - the Barrow striker nailed his attempted lob and Villa found themselves behind almost immediately.

That might've been a shock to the system, because Josep Gombau's young guns were on the ropes for a little while. A poor pass at the back from Ethan Amundsen-Day was leapt upon by Connor Mahoney and he slipped in Telford, who fired a low shot straight at Proctor from close range.

READ MORE: Aston Villa flop raining goals at new club as he finally recovers from injury woes

READ MORE: 'I haven't spoken to him' - Aston Villa star makes joke of Unai Emery anger

The Villa keeper shortly afterwards punched a corner as far as Katia Kouyate, whose header cleared the entire, crowded, penalty area and was on target - thankfully for Villa, Amundsen-Day was on hand to flick a header of his own off the line. Going forwards, it was comparatively a struggle for a side who'd bagged four in their previous two EFL Trophy games - and all four penalties in the shoot-out success at Bolton.

Villa picked up a little in the second half and the introduction of Trai-Varn Mulley at the break brought a little life, but they failed to respond and were targeted with set-pieces which Barrow cashed in with. Despite the effort of Proctor - especially with Barrow's third, which he initially stopped before Dallas prodded in the rebound - the Bluebirds breezed into a three-goal lead.

Barrow's man of the match Vassell met a Mahoney corner three quarters of the way into the game, after a superb delivery from winger Connor Mahoney. Then, fewer than ten minutes later, Dallas rose high - denied by Proctor, who couldn't complete the game after suffering concussion - and eventually tapped home a third to give the score-line a comprehensive look.

Aston Villa player ratings

Proctor 6

Unfortunate manner in which the early goal was conceded, when Proctor was spotted off his line from way out and he failed to recover in time before the ball hit the back of the net. Responded well enough making a smart save to deny Telford. Did his best from set pieces in the second half and then was forced off. Best wishes to him.

Rowe 6

One sticky moment when he surrendered the ball in the Barrow third and the hosts had a chance to break but messed up. Generally Rowe was positive on the ball and made regular runs forward in an attempt to inspire an otherwise blunt Villa in the first half.

Smith 6

Made one important block when he slid in to deny Kirk inside the penalty area. Villa rather lost their way at the back, certainly from dead balls, after he was taken off.

Amundsen-Day 6

Looked a little on edge early on and was culpable of giving up possession and allowing Barrow to create a chance for Telford. Made a key contribution when he ran round to nod an effort off the line from a half-cleared corner.

Patterson 6

Assured enough, bringing plenty of energy up and down the left and a little composure. Still only 19, he was one of the brighter performers and was still blitzing down the wing deep into stoppage time.

Alcock 6

The captain was sharp in midfield, moved the ball quickly and used his balance to spin and get Villa moving forwards.

Simpson 6

The youngster, who played right back at Bolton, ticked things over in midfield and kept things simple, although he might've used the ball better when well placed after Barrow only half cleared a corner and they ended up almost breaking on Villa.

Pavey 6

Played out wide and caused one or two problems in the first half, but Villa in general struggled to lay a glove on Paul Farman's goal throughout the course of the evening.

Jimoh-Aloba 6

Quiet in one sense in terms of how he influenced Villa in the final third, but there were some lovely moments and, from a deeper part of the pitch, some eye-catching passes which showed his vision and abilitiy to pick out teammates. Some smart spins and ball carries.

Moore 6

Fed off scraps in the first half, with Villa not able to truly hurt Barrow or apply sustained pressure. Nevertheless Moore continued to work hard, won the ball back a couple of times in midfield and aimed to bring Villa up the pitch.

Substitutes

Mulley (for Simpson 45) 6

The hero at Bolton was bright for his part on the right hand side in the second half, leaving his left-back for dead with a sharp turn and nutmeg.

Lutz (for Pavey 62) 6

Enthusiastic even if it was an uphill task in leading the line. Injected a little more energy when applying himself with his off the ball work.

Katsukunya (for Smith 62) 6

Tidied up at the back in open play but Barrow's senior forwards proved too strong from set pieces. Fortunate not to score an own goal he'd have known little about, when Lewis made a smart stop.

Jenner (for Taylor 78)

Fortes (for Moore 78)

Lewis (for Proctor 83)

Substitutes not used: Burgess

Barrow starting XI: Farman; Campbell (Weston 75), Canavan, Gotts, Kouyate, Telford (Dallas 45), Mahoney (Eccleston 75), Feely, Kirk, Tiensia, Vassell

Subs: Stanway, Newby, Stokes, Jackson

GOALS

Barrow - Telford 2, Vassell 67, Dallas 74; Villa -

The referee: Martin Woods