Aston Villa struggled to better Wolverhampton Wanderers throughout this Championship Midlands derby clash at Villa Park with James Chester and Aly Cissohko their most disappointing performers.
On what was Steve Bruce’s first game in charge, Aston Villa looked bright in parts of the first half against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but sluggish during the second 45. Bruce, however, remained optimistic after the match, despite his team only mustering four attempts at goal – almost three times fewer than visitors Wolves, who also had 55% of possession against Villa’s 45%.
Here is how Bruce’s fist team selection rated up against Walter Zenga‘s Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pierluigi Gollini (7/10) – Italian Gollini made a couple of outstanding saves to deny Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second half and couldn’t be faulted for the Wolves penalty.
Micah Richards (5/10) – Left the field injured, the cause of which perhaps exacerbated by a severe lack of match fitness. The surprise selection on Steve Bruce’s first game in charge, Richards was responsible for a tired challenge where Wolves should have been awarded a second half penalty.
James Chester (4/10) – The Welsh international was another Villa player who, on another day, could have had a penalty awarded against him. In the second half, Chester was lucky to avoid a second yellow card after a deliberate foul on Wolves danger man Helder Costa.
Tommy Elphick (5/10) – Another member of Aston Villa’s poor defence. Captain Elphick did little to emit confidence alongside centre-back partner James Chester and, following an injury, was replaced by Nathan Baker in the 77th minute.
Aly Cissokho (4/10) – Cissokho has a lot to do in order to convince new manager Bruce of his merits at left-back. Cissokho looked like a stranger to the football, particularly in possession.
Mile Jedinak (5/10) – Jedinak is still suffering from a poor start to the season, for both club and country, as the game’s pace and combative nature passed the Australian by in the first half. Replaced by the tidy but ineffective Ashley Westwood (5/10) after just 55 minutes.
Aaron Tshibola (6/10) – Poor and slightly rushed in possession led to the former Reading man giving the ball away on too many occasions. Consequently failed to have an impact on the game, despite his admirable energy and combative approach to the encounter.
Albert Adomah (6/10) – Pace and enthusiasm will go a long way in the Championship. Adomah has both in abundance. Unfortunately for Villa, the former Middlesbrough wide man failed to find a consistent end product and struggled to have any decisive role on this game.
Jack Grealish (8/10) – The most talented player in Steve Bruce’s Villa squad. Grealish played a significant part as Villa looked threatening on their left side in the first half – aided by Ross McCormack drifting into left-sided channels – but faded as the second half progressed. Won the penalty that led to the game’s opener. Should be disappointed with his part in a clash with Wolves’ Conor Coady.
Ross McCormack (6/10) – Not the best performance from the £12 million signing from Fulham. McCormack’s early contributions looked promising – particlularly the links with Grealish, but ultimately a poor showing. Booked for shoving Coady in the chest in front of the referee,
Jonathan Kodjia (6/10) – Scorer of Aston Villa’s goal via a confidently placed penalty. Should have played in McCormack for a straight-forward chance at goal in the first half, but aside from that, Kodjia worked tirelessly for his teammates.
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