John Townley’s Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery’s side lose 2-1 at Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League
19:44, 23 Oct 2025Updated 19:56, 23 Oct 2025
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Emi Buendia missed a penalty in Aston Villa’s defeat at Go Ahead Eagles
Aston Villa fell to a shock defeat against Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League, losing 2-1 at De Adelaarshorst.
Evann Guessand opened the scoring within the first four minutes, before Villa were pegged back by Mathis Suray. Mats Deijl then completed the comeback for the hosts. Late in the game, Emi Buendia had a chance to level the score but missed a penalty, sending the ball over the bar.
Go Ahead Eagles came close to taking the lead early on, as Granit Nauber’s effort from close range was turned over after he was picked out inside the box.
Shortly after, Amadou Onana found Jadon Sancho down the left. The Manchester United loanee crossed into the box, and goalkeeper Jari De Busser misjudged the ball, allowing Guessand to bundle it into the net.
The Ivorian should have been credited with an assist moments later when De Busser gave the ball away while trying to play out from the back. Guessand then found Ollie Watkins, but his tame effort was saved.
Sancho continued to cause problems down the left. In the 10th minute, he wriggled into the box, before Emi Buendia’s shot was saved from inside the area.
Guessand had another chance to double both his and Villa’s tally in the 29th minute when Buendia played him through, but De Busser denied him again.
Suray punished Villa for missing several chances to extend their lead by finishing a set-piece move just minutes before half-time.
Deijl completed the comeback for the Dutch side on the hour mark, running in behind the Villa defence and finding the bottom corner.
Matty Cash, who came off the bench, won a penalty for Villa after his cross struck Dean James’ hand, but Buendia blasted the ball over the bar.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez Martinez made his first Europa League appearance of the season after missing previous games against Bologna and Feyenoord. There was little he could do to stop Suray’s looping shot, and he was also beaten by Deijl in the second half. 5
Victor Lindelof Lindelof made his first start for Villa this evening, operating at right-back. Struggled to make an impact going forward, though right-back is not his strongest position. 4
Tyrone Mings It’s unusual for Mings to play alongside another left-sided centre-back in Pau Torres, but he returned after missing three games with an ankle injury. He didn’t look comfortable at times, and Villa were vulnerable defensively. 4
Pau Torres Torres should have been more aggressive in blocking Suray’s shot as he was the closest Villa player to the ball – it then deflected off him and looped over Martinez. Deijl then ran behind him and Maatsen for Go Ahead Eagles’ second goal. Completed 62 of the 65 passes he attempted. 4
Ian Maatsen Maatsen has started all three of Villa’s European games this season, making his fifth start in all competitions tonight. He can be a threat in the final third, but his defending still needs improvement. Deijl ran across him and behind Torres before scoring. 4
Lamare Bogarde Bogarde returned to the starting XI after Onana was preferred to partner Boubacar Kamara. He was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from Granit Nauber, but the Go Ahead Eagles defender came off worse and left the pitch on a stretcher. 5
Amadou Onana Onana continued in the heart of midfield, playing in a double pivot with Bogarde. He played the ball to Sancho, who then crossed for Guessand to bundle in the opener. 5
Evann Guessand Guessand is clearly impressing Emery in his first months at Villa. He scored his first goal for the club today but should have doubled both his and Villa’s tally after being played through by Buendia. He scored early on, but missed a one-on-one and was largely ineffective after. 5
Emi Buendia Fresh from scoring the winner against Tottenham, Buendia started tonight. Played Guessand through in the first half, though the forward couldn’t beat De Busser. Buendia missed a penalty, which would have put Villa on level terms. 4
Jadon Sancho Sancho started for the second time as a Villa player, operating in the left 10 role. He made an early impact, crossing for Guessand to score, and later wriggled into the box before Buendia’s shot was blocked. 5
Ollie Watkins After making a brilliant impact off the bench against Spurs, Watkins led the line tonight. He missed a big chance to make it 2-0 just minutes after Guessand’s goal, and was nowhere near his best. 4
SUBS
Morgan Rogers (for Sancho, 67′), Matty Cash (for Lindelof, 67′), Boubacar Kamara (for Onana, 67′), Donyell Malen (for Watkins, 67′), John McGinn (for Bogarde, 76′).
Subs not used: Bizot, Proctor, Konsa, Elliott.
GOALS
Go Ahead Eagles: Suray (42′), Deijl (61′)
Villa: Guessand (4′)
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