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Aston Villa player ratings gallery vs Legia Warsaw: Two score ‘terrible’ 3/10 but three earn 7s in 3-2 defeat

Charlie Haffenden
·5-min read
Definitely not the World Cup winner’s best evening. Couldn’t do much about the first two goals conceded but misjudged his dive for the third. Then fumbled a Slisz shot which nearly led to Gual scoring.
Definitely not the World Cup winner’s best evening. Couldn’t do much about the first two goals conceded but misjudged his dive for the third. Then fumbled a Slisz shot which nearly led to Gual scoring.

Aston Villa begun their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign with a dispiriting 3-2 defeat away at Legia Warsaw on Thursday. Utterly complacent at the back throughout, Unai Emery will undoubtedly be frustrated with his side’s lack of focus in the defensive third. Going forward it wasn’t much better either - especially in the second half - and it goes down as a disappointing start.

Villa got the game underway with confidence when passing out from the back but they were dealt a huge shock as Legia scored on their very first attack, with just three minutes played. Calum Chambers, starting for the first time since the play-off against Hibernian, failed to press quickly enough and Lucas Digne was lazy to not pick up Legia forward Paweł Wszołek, who met Patryk Kun’s cross at the far post for 1-0.

It didn’t take long for a response, as Nicolò Zaniolo sprinted away on the half-turn and struck a thunderous effort towards the top left-hand corner. The Italian was denied a wonder goal by a brilliant diving stop from Legia goalkeeper Kacper Tobiasz but the agony in the away end instantly turned to joy, as Jhon Durán reacted quickest to nod the ball into the net on the rebound to make it 1-1.

Didn’t press quickly enough and allowed Kun to cross for Wzołek’s opener. Nowhere to be seen for Muçi’s goal as the winger was left entirely unmarked. Then showed no desire to tackle Muçi for the Albanian’s second.
Didn’t press quickly enough and allowed Kun to cross for Wzołek’s opener. Nowhere to be seen for Muçi’s goal as the winger was left entirely unmarked. Then showed no desire to tackle Muçi for the Albanian’s second.

Emery’s men resumed regular service after their equaliser, keeping possession patiently and waiting for the hosts to press before advancing on attacks. Despite the dominance, though, Villa were caught napping yet again as Legia took the lead in the 26th minute. Advancing on the right on the counter, Wszołek beat Digne and crossed to Ernest Muçi. The winger slotted it past Emi Martinez for 2-1.

Rather ironically, Legia then went on to control proceedings but this was when Villa managed to equalise for a second time. Wszołek, who had a goal and an assist to his name beforehand, got involved at the other end as he failed to clear properly and Digne tried his luck from range on the half-volley. The Frenchman’s effort was struck off Wszołek’s back and it deflected into the top right-hand corner for 2-2.

Much to the discountenance of the travelling support, it was the exact same story for the Villans in the second half as Legia took the lead again in the 51st minute. Emery looked absolutely furious on the bench as Villa showed very little desire defensively and both Chambers and Konsa were caught out. Muçi got on the scoresheet for the second time of the night as he dribbled beyond and fired across a helpless Martinez.

Emery then turned to the bench and the substitutions certainly made a difference, giving the men in claret and blue more urgency in attack. Jacob Ramsey had the best opportunity to put it level as the ball fell to him in the area but the youngster put his shot well wide of the left post and, in the end, Legia were able to hold on. Here are our player ratings as Villa head back to the drawing board for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.

Got across brilliantly to deny Muçi running through in the first half but looked a shadow of his normal self as the same Legia attacker beat him for pace for 3-2. Looked the best of a disappointing back line on the night.
Got across brilliantly to deny Muçi running through in the first half but looked a shadow of his normal self as the same Legia attacker beat him for pace for 3-2. Looked the best of a disappointing back line on the night.
Didn’t show urgency to get back for the first Legia goal and then was found out of position for the second. Let Marc Gual in behind too often as well. A real shame but an awful debut for the defender.
Didn’t show urgency to get back for the first Legia goal and then was found out of position for the second. Let Marc Gual in behind too often as well. A real shame but an awful debut for the defender.
Going forward, Digne was great and he got a brilliant goal, albeit deflected. Defensively, however, he was very poor. Went to sleep at the vital moment as he didn’t pick up Wszołek for the opening goal and then was beaten too easily by Wszołek ahead of the second Legia strike.
Going forward, Digne was great and he got a brilliant goal, albeit deflected. Defensively, however, he was very poor. Went to sleep at the vital moment as he didn’t pick up Wszołek for the opening goal and then was beaten too easily by Wszołek ahead of the second Legia strike.
Not his usual commanding self at the base of midfield as he was beaten on the half-turn on a number of occasions. Hooked just after the hour mark due to his lack of control in the middle of the park.
Not his usual commanding self at the base of midfield as he was beaten on the half-turn on a number of occasions. Hooked just after the hour mark due to his lack of control in the middle of the park.
Often dropped deep in between the centre halves to go back to go forward, which was sometimes effective but also got him into trouble with the Legia press. Lacked going forward, which is strange for the Belgian.
Often dropped deep in between the centre halves to go back to go forward, which was sometimes effective but also got him into trouble with the Legia press. Lacked going forward, which is strange for the Belgian.
An usually below-par night for the skipper as he was fairly anonymous at both ends of the field. Great to see him lead the side out but that was about it.
An usually below-par night for the skipper as he was fairly anonymous at both ends of the field. Great to see him lead the side out but that was about it.
Incredible strike to set up the rebound for Duran’s goal for 1-1. So often got away powerfully on the half-turn and looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball. Confident enough to try a few tricks.
Incredible strike to set up the rebound for Duran’s goal for 1-1. So often got away powerfully on the half-turn and looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball. Confident enough to try a few tricks.
Started well as he got Legia left-back Kun booked with a clever dribble down the right. After that he was lacklustre though, it must be said.
Started well as he got Legia left-back Kun booked with a clever dribble down the right. After that he was lacklustre though, it must be said.
Great anticipation and good headed finish on the rebound for 1-1. Held off defenders brilliantly to create a chance for himself just before the break but it was well saved by Tobiasz.
Great anticipation and good headed finish on the rebound for 1-1. Held off defenders brilliantly to create a chance for himself just before the break but it was well saved by Tobiasz.
Definitely looked better than Kamara did but was - much like the rest of Emery’s men - unable to be as effective as usual.
Definitely looked better than Kamara did but was - much like the rest of Emery’s men - unable to be as effective as usual.
Brandished a yellow card for a silly clip on the heel of Slisz but made a couple of decent runs in behind to make up for it.
Brandished a yellow card for a silly clip on the heel of Slisz but made a couple of decent runs in behind to make up for it.
Struggled to get involved as Legia’s defenders dug deep.
Struggled to get involved as Legia’s defenders dug deep.
Got in some good positions but missed a huge opportunity to equalise late on. Good to see him back.
Got in some good positions but missed a huge opportunity to equalise late on. Good to see him back.
Got forward plenty and looked positive. So much more assured defensively than Chambers was.
Got forward plenty and looked positive. So much more assured defensively than Chambers was.