{"id":295117,"date":"2025-07-27T05:33:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T05:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295117\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T05:33:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T05:33:19","slug":"john-townleys-aston-villa-player-ratings-as-8s-and-7s-awarded-after-2-2-frankfurt-draw-in-louisville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295117\/","title":{"rendered":"John Townley&#8217;s Aston Villa player ratings as 8s and 7s awarded after 2-2 Frankfurt draw in Louisville"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Aston Villa player ratings after the draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in Louisville, Kentucky<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1752888491_730_0_4fa57d47-7144-4f6b-8e11-697f6ce30864-2.jpg\" alt=\"John Townley\" class=\"AuthorBio_bio-image-figure__aHRRv\" loading=\"eager\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"AuthorBio_bio-text__yt_tm\">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.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_IMG_7887JPG.jpg\" alt=\"Boubacar Kamara was excellent for an hour against Frankfurt\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Boubacar Kamara was excellent for an hour against Frankfurt(Image: Connor Cunningham)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Aston Villa started their pre-season tour of the USA by drawing 2-2 with Eintracht Frankfurt at the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/aston-villa-frankfurt-live-friendly-32139085\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Lynn Family Stadium in Lousville.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/ollie-watkins\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Ollie Watkins<\/a> opened the scoring in the 12th minute, before Elye Wahi equalised shortly after. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/morgan-rogers\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Morgan Rogers<\/a> then restored the lead as <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/donyell-malen\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Donyell Malen<\/a> made his second assist of the night, but Eba Is levelled up in the 82nd minute.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">The first chance of the game fell to Malen after he was picked out by Lucas Digne at the back post, but the forward opted to take a touch rather than apply a first-time finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">The Dutchman then assisted Watkins by pulling the ball back across the box after being picked out by Boubacar Kamara, who was excellent for the hour he played.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Watkins could have bagged a brace when Marco Bizot launched the ball over the top of the Frankfurt backline, but after doing the hard work and beating goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, the England international missed the far post by inches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Frankfurt equalised in the 20th minute after Tyrone Mings\u2019 pass was intercepted, allowing the German side to work the ball to Wahi, who converted from close range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Just like Watkins, Wahi should have doubled his tally when he went one-on-one with Bizot, but he dragged his shot wide of the target.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Emery brought on Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa for the start of the second half and the latter was fortunate his mistake of lingering on the ball didn&#8217;t lead to a goal after Michy Batshuayi missed from close range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Villa went down the other end and restored their lead through Rogers, who finished well from inside the box as he met Malen&#8217;s cross from the right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Frankfurt youngster Is then equalised late on to prevent Villa winning their first game of pre-season as he beat Joe Gauci from distance.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Player ratings<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Marco Bizot<\/strong> Bizot looked good. He claimed the ball well and appeared comfortable with it at his feet. He played a brilliant lobbed pass over the top for Watkins to chase, which led to a great chance for the striker to score. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Matty Cash<\/strong> Cash was quick to spring into a high and wide position when Villa were in possession, allowing Malen to move into space. The two appear to be building a strong relationship on the pitch. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Lamare Bogarde<\/strong> Bogarde played as the right-sided centre-back when Villa were defending, and then shifted to the middle when they had the ball. He read the game well and impressed alongside Mings. He moved to right-back at the start of the second half but lost the ball early on, which led to a good chance for Frankfurt. Showed his versatility again by playing in midfield after the hour mark <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Tyrone Mings<\/strong> Mings made an important block to prevent Can Uzan\u2019s shot from reaching the target, but gave the ball away while trying to play out from the back, which led to Frankfurt&#8217;s equaliser. Mistakes will happen in pre-season. He won the ball back in Frankfurt\u2019s half to set Ramsey away on the attack and also won a header in the box that led to a half-chance for Malen. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Lucas Digne<\/strong> Digne played a lovely ball to the back post for Malen to score, but the Dutchman didn\u2019t take it first time. He was a good outlet on the left side, playing like a winger at times. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Boubacar Kamara<\/strong> It\u2019s only pre-season, but this was a brilliant performance from Kamara. His passing range was spot-on, spraying the ball over the top and side to side with laser precision throughout. He set Malen away to assist Watkins and dropped into a back three in possession. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Youri Tielemans<\/strong> Tielemans won Villa\u2019s Player of the Season award last year and will be gearing up for another big campaign as the club targets a return to the Champions League. In the seventh minute of this friendly, he lost the ball in Villa\u2019s own third after dithering in possession &#8211; perhaps the first time he\u2019s done that in the past year. He couldn\u2019t quite intercept the pass that led to Wahi\u2019s equalising goal. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_IMG_7884JPG.jpg\" alt=\"Donyell Malen\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Donyell Malen(Image: Connor Cunningham)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Donyell Malen<\/strong> Malen should have put Villa in front just minutes after assisting Watkins for the opener. He opted to take a touch when Digne picked him out at the back post More than made up for it by assist both goals for Villa. Big season ahead of the forward. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">8*<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Emi Buendia<\/strong> Buendia could have left Villa at the start of the summer window but is instead trying to play his way into Emery\u2019s thoughts. He showed impressive fitness levels, covering ground well throughout. In the 15th minute, he popped up to intercept a pass across the box. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jacob Ramsey<\/strong> You could tell Ramsey has been in training for a few weeks now. He looked strong and powerful on the ball and linked play nicely in pockets of space. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_IMG_7885JPG.jpg\" alt=\"Ollie Watkins\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Ollie Watkins(Image: Connor Cunningham)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Ollie Watkins<\/strong> Watkins opened the scoring early on with a neat finish into the far corner. He then raced through, did the hard work, but pulled the ball wide of the post from an angle just before Villa conceded an equaliser. Excellent movement off the ball tonight. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">SUBS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Pau Torres<\/strong> (for Mings, 46\u2019): Solid in the back four and kept play moving nicely. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Amadou Onana (for Tielemans, 46\u2019): <\/strong>Used his size really well and made a few clever touches. Really impressive from the Belgian. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Morgan Rogers<\/strong> (for Buendia, 46\u2019): Scored with what was one of his first touches of the second half &#8211; took it really nicely with his weaker foot. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Ezri Konsa<\/strong> (for Cash, 46\u2019): Konsa was lucky to get away with losing the ball to Batshuayi early in the second half &#8211; it should have led to a goal. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jamal Jimoh-Aloba<\/strong> (for Watkins, 65&#8242;): Great experience for the 18-year-old to be on tour with Villa. He played up front again this evening. Enjoyed it out there. Used his body well. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Joe Gauci<\/strong> (for Bizot, 65&#8242;): Gauci doesn&#8217;t look too comfortable on the ball when playing out, but these pre-season games are exactly what he needs. He was beaten by Is from outside the box. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Samuel Iling-Junior<\/strong> (for Ramsey, 65&#8242;): Good to see the versatile left-sided player in pre-season. Didn&#8217;t see much of the ball today. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Ian Maatsen<\/strong> for Digne, 65&#8242;): Maatsen added some pace down the flank and provided another option after replacing Digne. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Triston Rowe<\/strong> (for Kamara, 65&#8242;): Rowe was solid at right-back and didn&#8217;t let much go down his side. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Leon Bailey<\/strong> (for Malen, 65&#8242;): Bailey wasn&#8217;t too involved as Villa were playing deeper when he came on. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">6<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Subs not used:<\/strong>, Martinez, McGinn, Patterson, Ozcan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">GOALS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Frankfurt:<\/strong> Wahi (20&#8242;), Is (82&#8242;)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Aston Villa: <\/strong>Watkins (12&#8242;), Rogers (49&#8242;)<\/p>\n<p>What did you make of Villa&#8217;s performance? <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/john-townleys-aston-villa-player-32141902#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Tell us here<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_Whatsapp-storysocial.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>The latest Villa headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Join our Aston Villa WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Lu7kUnCkBrwBYeE8GFvleN\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">on this link<\/a> and select \u2018Join Community\u2019 to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. It&#8217;s a free service. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from our Villa writers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Villa news. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click &#8216;Exit Group&#8217;. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. 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