Aston Villa’s player ratings vs Porto reflect an encouraging performance from Unai Emery’s depleted squad despite a 2-1 defeat.
Luka Lynch scored an excellent equaliser, Lamare Bogarde impressed in midfield and Leon Bailey endured a difficult 23-minute appearance.
William Gomes volleyed Porto ahead after five minutes before Lynch responded with a powerful left-footed finish. Pepê restored the hosts’ advantage shortly before half-time, with neither side scoring after the break.
Porto fielded a strong side for their final pre-season fixture, while Villa used several academy players and remained without a number of senior options. Emery’s team still competed well and reportedly enjoyed 65 per cent of the possession during the first half.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Porto
Marco Bizot: 6/10
Could do little about either Porto goal. Gomes’ opener was struck cleanly from inside the area, while Pepê’s effort arrived through a crowded penalty box.
Bizot commanded his area reasonably well and looked comfortable when collecting crosses. His distribution was steady without having a major influence on Villa’s build-up.
Matty Cash: 6/10
Won the first contact from the long throw which eventually led to Porto’s opening goal.
Cash defended reliably against Pepê for most of the first half and provided an outlet on the right. He was replaced at the interval as Emery shared the minutes across his squad.
Modou Cissé: 7/10
Survived one difficult early moment after losing possession under heavy pressure inside his own penalty area.
Bogarde helped recover the situation, and Cissé was composed from that point onwards. The youngster defended aggressively and did not look out of place alongside Tyrone Mings against senior opposition.
Tyrone Mings: 6/10
Provided the experience alongside Cissé and was largely secure when Villa played out from defence.
Mings read danger well and dealt with several direct Porto attacks. A few ambitious passes failed to find their target, but it was a solid 75-minute appearance.
Ian Maatsen: 5/10
Produced several positive movements down the left but was responsible for the free-kick which preceded Porto’s winning goal.
Gomes beat him too easily before Maatsen committed the foul. Villa then failed to deal with the second ball when Pepê scored.
Lamare Bogarde: 7/10
One of Villa’s best performers.
Bogarde rescued Cissé after the defender lost possession early on and later won the ball which created Lynch’s equaliser. He remained calm under pressure and provided useful protection in front of the back four.
Ross Barkley: 5/10
Showed his technical quality with some clever touches in congested areas but took unnecessary risks close to his own goal.
Barkley also received a yellow card following a late challenge on Victor Froholdt. He was replaced at half-time after a mixed display.
Leon Bailey: 4/10
A frustrating appearance which lasted only 23 minutes.
Bailey surrendered possession too often and struggled to influence the attack before Ben Broggio replaced him. The reason for his early withdrawal had not been confirmed immediately after the match, so Villa will hope it was only precautionary.
Luka Lynch: 8/10
Villa’s standout performer and the scorer of an outstanding equaliser.
Lynch reacted quickly after Bogarde regained possession before drilling a left-footed strike across Cláudio Ramos. It was his second goal in as many pre-season matches after he also scored in the 5-0 victory over Walsall.
The midfielder also worked hard without possession and continued looking for opportunities to break into the penalty area. Lynch has made a strong early impression on Emery.
George Hemmings: 6/10
Looked comfortable when receiving possession in the left-sided attacking role.
Hemmings carried the ball forward well and competed aggressively when Villa pressed. However, he did not receive possession often enough in the areas where he could trouble Porto.
Brad Burrowes: 6/10
Received limited service while operating at the top of Villa’s youthful attack.
Burrowes still linked play effectively when dropping away from the centre-backs. His movement created space for Lynch and Hemmings, even though he rarely threatened Ramos’ goal himself.
Aston Villa substitute ratings
Ben Broggio: 6/10
Replaced Bailey, 23 minutes.
Worked hard on both flanks and followed Emery’s defensive instructions. Broggio offered energy without creating a clear scoring opportunity.
James Wright: 6/10
Replaced Bizot, half-time.
Had little to do during a quiet second half. Wright handled the limited work which came his way without concern.
Kosta Nedeljković: 6/10
Replaced Cash, half-time.
Porto created little down his side after the interval. Nedeljković defended solidly and completed a useful 45-minute fitness exercise.
João Gomes: 7/10
Replaced Barkley, half-time.
Added energy and greater intensity to Villa’s midfield.
Gomes covered ground quickly, pressed Porto’s midfielders and increased the tempo whenever he received possession. His first two pre-season appearances have provided an early glimpse of the qualities Villa expected when signing him.
TJ Carroll: N/A
Replaced Mings, 75 minutes.
Not on the pitch long enough to receive a fair rating.
Triston Rowe: N/A
Replaced Maatsen, 75 minutes.
Added fresh energy on the left but had limited time to influence the match.
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba: N/A
Replaced Hemmings, 75 minutes.
Worked in an advanced role during a second half containing few clear opportunities.
Brian Madjo: N/A
Replaced Lynch, 75 minutes.
Unable to add to his two goals from Villa’s opening friendly.
Aidan Borland: N/A
Replaced Bogarde, 85 minutes.
Introduced for the closing stages.
Rodrigo Fortes: N/A
Replaced Cissé, 85 minutes.
Had little defensive work to complete before full-time.
ReadAstonVilla man of the match
Luka Lynch: 8/10
Lynch followed his goal against Walsall with an even better finish at the Estádio do Dragão. His confidence, movement and willingness to compete against Porto’s experienced midfield made him Villa’s clearest positive.
The ReadAstonVilla preview identified Lynch among the academy players hoping to build on the Walsall victory. He took that opportunity with another decisive contribution.
