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Aston Villa vs Southampton: Premier League – Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (3L) celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (3L) celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (Photo by Nick Potts – Pool/Getty Images)
Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton (Photo by Nick Potts – Pool/Getty Images) /

Manager, Goalkeeper and Defenders

Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager – 8

Big call of the day was starting Walcott over Redmond.  Deployed Armstrong on the right side of his 4-2-2-2 to deal with Grealish, but otherwise stuck to his game plan.  Was licking his lips at half time with a 3-0 lead watching his captain take matters into his own hands.  The 4-0 lead dissipating to 4-3 is concerning at first, but Ralph will care more about the health of 3 of his first team players.

Alex McCarthy, Goalkeeper – 8

1st chance to spring a counter and threw it right to Villa. A few other easy catches from potentially dangerous set pieces were his only first half notes.  Made two solid saves to open the second period as Villa tried to find a way back in.  Was pretty good through the end of the match other than getting wrong-footed by Grealish at his near post, but his sight may have been blocked to the ball.   Without a few of his key saves, Southampton do not earn three points.

Ryan Bertrand, Left-Back – 7

Not a lot of memorable moments, but looked bothered a few times with an injury before making way in the 80th minute.

Jannik Vestergaard, Centre-Back – 8

Thundering header to give Southampton the lead.  His footwork on the set piece to pull away the defender and to power the ball back where it came from is the sign of a man in full confidence.  Made two good second half blocks and seems well above the level of Jack Stephens at the moment.  Will be a mainstay for the foreseeable future.

Jan Bednarek, Centre-Back – 8

Shaken up after winning a header 20 minutes in, but showed no ill signs, until being removed at the half for Jack Stephens.  Hopefully the head injury is precautionary, but it is a position we have cover.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Right-Back – 7

Earned the set piece on a Matt Targett challenge leading to the first goal.  Gave away a couple free kicks getting out-positioned by Grealish.  Pretty quiet going forward, but maybe by design with the threat often coming from Villa’s right side.