John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as 5s awarded in 2-0 defeat at Wolves
Aston Villa's five-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end at Molineux after being beaten 2-0 by Wolves.
Jean-Richer Bellegarde opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he beat Emi Martinez at his near post, but the Villa goalkeeper denied Matheus Cunha later in the half in a one-on-one. Boubacar Kamara - who played at centre-back again given Unai Emery’s lack of defensive options - was dispossessed by the Brazilian, before he failed to beat Martinez.
Goncalo Guedes missed the rebound and then a couple more big chances to extend Wolves’ lead in the second period. It was a poor first half from Villa, who were lucky to only be one goal behind at the break.
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Emery made four changes for the start of the second half as Donyell Malen, Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey were all introduced. Ollie Watkins - who took a blow to the head in the first period - Jacob Ramsey, Andres Garcia and Lucas Digne were replaced.
Malen thought he had levelled up for Villa before the hour mark when he tapped in at the back post, but the flag went up. Replays showed that he was onside, but VAR ruled the well-worked set-piece out because Rogers was offside and adjudged to have prevented Nelson Semedo from trying to block John McGinn's cross.
Malen was denied by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa before seven minutes were added on at the end of the second half. Cunha then made sure of the points for the hosts late on.
Villa are next in action on Sunday, February 9 when they host Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez conceded in the 12th minute at his near post - perhaps he predicted Bellegarde to fire across goal instead. The Villa 'keeper denied Cunha in a one-on-one later in the first half to keep his side just one behind at the interval. 5
Andres Garcia
The debutant played as a wing-back when Villa had possession, staying high and wide. He showed a good turn of pace and delivered a cross towards the back post early in the first half. Lost the ball a couple of times, but this was his top-flight debut and will have learned plenty from it. 5
Ezri Konsa
Konsa is the only recognised centre-back Emery has to call on at the minute, which makes his job harder too. A casual touch put Kamara in trouble early on and he struggled to deal with Guedes' off-the-ball runs at times. Konsa did manage to make a few timely blocks to prevent the ball travelling across the box. 5
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara continued at centre-back today given the lack of defensive options Emery has at his disposal currently. Bellegarde ran off him for Wolves' goal in the first half and Cunha also robbed him of possession. The Frenchman was a presence in the box and managed to clear plenty of deliveries from set-pieces. 5
Lucas Digne
Digne was hooked at the break with Emery wanting something else on the left flank. 5
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans was tidy in tight pockets, but credit to the hosts, they were quick to press and suffocate the Villa midfield. 6
Lamare Bogarde
Bogarde dropped into a back three when in possession in the first half, before he moved to right-back for the second period when Garcia came off. 5
John McGinn
McGinn got about the pitch well alongside Tielemans, but was on a tightrope early on after being booked in the 17th minute. 5
Morgan Rogers
Villa didn't manage to involve Rogers in the game too much as they struggled to pierce Wolves' narrow shape and progress the ball. 5
Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey came into the game high on confidence after impressing against West Ham and Celtic in the previous two games. He won a free-kick early on and was positive from the off. Unfortunate to be taken off at the break. 6
Ollie Watkins
Watkins was replaced at the break, seemingly because he took a blow to the head from Jose Sa in the first half. 5
SUBS
Amadou Onana (for Garcia, 45'): Onana made his return from injury by playing the full second half at Molineux. Made Villa better. 5
Donyell Malen (for Watkins, 45'): Malen was bright. VAR denied him his first goal in claret and blue - it was a very harsh call. 7
Leon Bailey (for Ramsey, 45'): Bailey was positive and tried to make things happen. Hasn't quite kicked on from scoring that winner against Leicester after the turn of the year as he would have liked to. 5
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 45'): Maatsen is dangerous when he combines on the left side. There are still question marks over his defending. 5
Kosta Nedeljkovic (for Bogarde, 83'): N/A
Subs not used: Olsen, Zych, Swinkels, Jimoh-Aloba.
GOALS
Wolves: Bellegarde (12'), Cunha (90+7')
Villa: N/A
