Aston Villa had to settle for another goalless draw at home as they failed to put one of their many chances in the back of Middlesbrough’s net. This draw now means that they have just 7 points from their opening 7 games and are already 10 points adrift of Leeds at the top of the table.
Adama Traore was returning to Villa Park for the first time since he left, and he lasted all of 4 minutes before he was sent off for a reckless lunge on conor Hourihane.
This red card gave Villa a huge advantage and they started to pile the pressure on, but Lansbury had a shot saved by Randolph, and Bjarnason failed to get on the end of a very inviting Snodgrass cross.
In the 50th minute, Snodgrass had the best chance of the night to score, but he somehow managed to hit the bar from 5 yards out.
The game took another twist in the 65th minute when Lansbury was sent off for a reckless lunge where his only aim was to take Johnson out.
To the delight of the home fans, Kodjia came on in the 70th minute and he nearly scored with a powerful header. Villa couldn’t find a breakthrough and the match ended 0-0.
Here are our Villa player ratings for tonight’s match
SUB: Scott Hogan - 4.5
Came on at half-time, but once again he struggled to make an impact on the game. His biggest contribution was blocking Hourihane’s goal-bound effort.
SUB: Albert Adomah - 6.5
Came on for Bjarnason at half-time and, in the space of 2 minutes, he did more than Bjarnason did the whole first half. Swung in a delightful cross that should have seen Snodgrass open the scoring.
ST: Keinan Davis - 4
Struggled on Saturday and struggled again today against a stout Middlesbrough defence.
RM: Robert Snodgrass - 5
Showed glimpses of the talent that he possesses, but then he missed a sitter from 5 yards out that would have given Villa all three points.
CM: Henri Lansbury -2
Was poor the whole night, and then he topped it off with a reckless tackle that got him sent off in the 64th minute.
CM: Mile Jedinak - 4
First game back in ages and it showed if we’re being perfectly honest. Was taken off at half-time as his race had been run.
CM: Conor Hourihane - 6
Had a solid game, and was unlucky to see a shot cleared off the line by his own player.
LM: Birkir Bjarnason - 5
Things just haven’t really work out for him at Villa so far, and today he put in another lackluster performance. Was subbed off at half-time.
LB: Neil Taylor - 6
Has been solid all season and tonight was no different. Middlesbrough didn’t threaten much, but when they did, he was alert to snuff out any danger.
CB: James Chester - 6
Put in a solid defensive display alongside John Terry and had a relatively stress-free evening.
CB: John Terry - 6
Did what was expected of him and kept Middlesbrough pretty quiet for most of the match.
RB: Ahmed Elmohamady - 5.5
Was stout in defence when called upon, but he didn’t get forward as much as he should have.
GK: Sam Johnstone - 6
Made a great save in the first few minutes, but didn’t have much to do for the rest of the match.