Aston Villa and Juventus played out a goal-less stalemate on matchday five of the Champions League league phase on Wednesday night.
The contest struggled to get going until after half-time, and although Morgan Rogers controversially had a would-be late goal ruled out for a soft foul on Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, neither side deserved to claim all three points.
How the match unfolded
Villa Park readied itself for the arrival of another European giant on Wednesday night as two-time European champions Juventus came to town.
The hosts entered the contest without a win in six games across all competitions having also been beaten last time out by Club Brugge, and they were tentative on home soil against a depleted Juve side that stifled the home crowd through slick and controlled work in the build-up phase.
The Bianconeri’s control tamed a typically buoyant atmosphere under the lights, and their ability to recover in transition ensured Villa had little joy in the opening period. The hosts struggled to progress and penetrate centrally, with Juve condensing the pitch and tracking the runs of Ollie Watkins diligently.
Watkins did draw the first save out of Di Gregorio 37 minutes into the contest with a snap-shot inside the box, while Lucas Digne clipped the crossbar with a free-kick on the stroke of half-time. Juve’s control, meanwhile, failed to result in sustained pressure at the other end of the pitch and they were limited to low-quality efforts from distance.
The low-quality attacking play permeated into the second-halr, although there was a sense of the contest opening up. Villa continued to fight for momentum, but Juve remained resolute in a bid to shun their flat hosts. Francisco Conceicao worked wonders down the right on occasions, and it was the diminutive winger who came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the second half. However, his close-range header was superbly kept out by Emiliano Martinez.
Di Gregorio was then called into action at the other end, with McGinn the man denied after latching onto Leon Bailey’s tempting cut-back (although the goalkeeper was helped out by the boot of Manuel Locatelli). Entering the final 20 minutes, it was anyone’s game.
Inspiration failed to arrive off both benches, though, and the tie seemed destined for a stalemate. However, Villa fashioned one moment from a hopeful free-kick in stoppage time. Di Gregorio looked set to claim the cross with ease, but fluffed the catch and allowed Morgan Rogers to tap home. The error was deemed to have been forced by Diego Carlos’ nudge, though, and the goal was ruled out.
Check out the player ratings for Aston Villa vs Juventus here.
Villa may have entered the bout without a win in all competitions since they overcame Bologna on matchday three of the competition, but there was a sense that a point wouldn’t have been a bad outcome for the hosts.
Wednesday’s stalemate means Emery’s side are just on the outskirts of the all-important top eight in ninth, but two tricky away fixtures beckon as they face RB Leipzig and the high-flying Monaco before welcoming Celtic to Villa Park on the final matchday.
This is the first time Villa have endured a seven-game win-less run under their current manager and a trip to Chelsea is up next in the Premier League.
As for Juventus, they’re proving to be a mightily tough nut to crack, losing just once all season. Motta’s side are unbeaten in Serie A this term and have extended their current run without a defeat to seven games. Their tactical performance was impressive at Villa Park, and they shouldn’t fear a stumbling Manchester City when they face them in Turin next month. Still, there’s work to be done to assure themselves of a place in the knockout rounds.
Rogers has been a shining light for Villa this season, with Emery happy to utilise the young English playmaker in multiple roles.
Much of his good work has arrived from a central position, working off Watkins. Here, he can pick up possession between the lines and drive at his opponents while boasting a goal threat from the edge of the penalty area.
His role on Wednesday night didn’t exactly prevent him from doing the above as such, but it certainly limited him. Emery switched Rogers and McGinn, using the latter centrally – perhaps because of his ability to screen Juve’s holding midfielder and jump to press their left centre-back. With Digne getting on the overlap, Rogers could drift infield, but he was forced into unwanted defensive situations. Conceicao breezed past him early on in the second half to create a promising crossing moment from the byline.
Villa huffed and puffed in possession for the most part in this one, with the hosts perhaps missing the press resistance and driving runs of Rogers in a central position, which were only sporadic.
Motta perhaps wouldn’t have taken too kindly to Dusan Vlahovic’s comments over the international break, with the Serbian striker suggesting it’s ‘easier’ to play for the national team.
Still, Vlahovic has enjoyed a productive start to the season, scoring six times in 12 Serie A games and three times in four Champions League outings. His presence was sorely missed on Wednesday night.
Motta opted for jack-of-all-trades Timothy Weah as Juve’s leading man at Villa Park, and while the USMNT international doubtlessly has value, he struggled to have an influence. Juve’s primary threat came via the weaving magic of Kenan Yildiz down the right and bursts of Conceicao on the opposite flank. Down the centre, Juve lacked a reference point with Weah and Teun Koopmeiners appearing uncomfortable in their respective roles.
Vlahovic doubtlessly would’ve supplied the focal point Juve sorely lacked, allowing the visitors to make better use of their impressive play in the build-up phase. His replacement was limited to a mere shot from distance and was rarely picked out in behind.
