Go Ahead Eagles Knock Out Aston Villa as Buendía Misses Penalty – Player Ratings Revealed

In a stunning Europa League night at De Adelaarshorst, Go Ahead Eagles produced a memorable comeback to defeat Aston Villa 2-1. What a match. From our perspective, this was a classic tale of two halves. Aston Villa burst out of the gates, looking every bit the Premier League powerhouse we expected them to be. Evann Guessand's early goal in the 4th minute seemed to set the tone for a comfortable away win. The English side dominated the first half, creating a flurry of chances, but they were met by a wall named Jari De Busser.

However, football is a funny old game, and Mathis Suray's equalizer just before the break completely flipped the script. It was a goal that breathed life into the home side and the stadium. The second half belonged entirely to Go Ahead Eagles. They played with a renewed belief and energy, eventually taking the lead through their captain Mats Deijl. The most dramatic moment arrived late when Aston Villa won a penalty, a golden chance to salvage a point, only for Emiliano Buendía to shockingly miss the target.

It was a night of heroics for the Dutch side and a story of bitter disappointment and what-ifs for the visitors in this memorable match. A night to forget for Unai Emery’s men, and here are Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa player ratings.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Go Ahead Eagles

Here are the Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Go Ahead Eagles match in the UEFA Europa League:

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 5.5: Conceded two goals where he wasn't really at fault. Made one save from inside the box but was largely a spectator to his team's collapse. He commanded his area as usual but couldn't inspire the outfield players. A quiet and frustrating night for the World Cup winner.

Defenders

Victor Lindelöf - 6.0: A decent outing before being substituted. He was tidy in possession with 92% pass accuracy. The defence seemed to lose its shape after he left. We noticed he was trying to build from the back but the connection was missing.

Tyrone Mings - 5.5: A tough night for the captain. He won a few duels and made six clearances but was part of a defence that conceded twice. Missed a headed chance in the first half that could have changed the game. Seemed a bit sluggish and couldn't organize the backline against the second-half onslaught.

Pau Torres - 6.0: Exceptionally clean on the ball with 95% pass accuracy and even created a chance. However, his primary job is to defend, and the team conceded two. He looked composed but perhaps lacked the aggression needed to shut down the Go Ahead Eagles attack when it mattered.

Ian Maatsen - 7.0: One of the few bright sparks for Aston Villa. He was a constant threat down the left flank, creating three key passes and putting in dangerous crosses. Defensively, he won most of his duels. What stood out to us was his relentless energy, even when the team was down.

Midfielders

Emiliano Buendía - 4.0: A nightmare of a game. Created a big chance and looked lively at times, but his performance will be defined by the missed penalty. That was the moment to be a hero, and he failed. To miss the target entirely is just unforgivable at this level. He also missed two other big chances. A day to forget.

Amadou Onana - 6.5: He was excellent in the first half, controlling the tempo with near-perfect passing. His substitution was a bit of a surprise, and the midfield battle was lost soon after he departed. His physical presence was sorely missed in the second period.

Lamare Bogarde - 6.0: An energetic performance from the youngster. He worked hard and recovered the ball well. However, he struggled to impose himself as the game wore on and was eventually substituted. A good learning experience for him, but ultimately not enough.

Jadon Sancho - 5.5: We expected more from him. He had his moments, including a shot on target, but he was far too quiet. Lost possession 14 times and failed to truly take on his man. From our perspective, he looked short on confidence and was rightly substituted.

Forwards

Evann Guessand - 7.0: Took his goal brilliantly early on and was a constant menace with three shots on target. He was one of the few who looked like he could make something happen throughout. His efforts were sadly undone by his team's defensive frailties and missed chances elsewhere.

Ollie Watkins - 5.0: A very quiet night for the striker. He missed a big chance in the first half and was largely anonymous before being substituted. Only managed 19 touches, which says a lot. Go Ahead Eagles' defenders marshalled him perfectly.

Substitutes

Matty Cash - 5.5: Came on but couldn't impact the game.

Morgan Rogers - 6.0: Looked eager and had a shot but couldn't find the breakthrough.

Donyell Malen - 5.5: Missed a decent chance shortly after coming on.

Boubacar Kamara - 6.0: Added some stability but it was too little too late.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 5.0: His team selection seemed right as they started brilliantly. But he failed to react when Go Ahead Eagles turned up the heat. The substitutions didn't work, and his side looked devoid of ideas and fight in the second half. A poor European night for a manager with such a strong record in this competition.

Go Ahead Eagles Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here are the Go Ahead Eagles Player Ratings vs Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League:

Goalkeeper

Jari De Busser - 9.0: Absolutely heroic. The man of the match, without a shadow of a doubt. Six saves, five from inside the box, kept his team in it when they were under siege in the first half. His confidence spread through the entire team. A performance he'll remember for the rest of his life. Simply sensational.

Defenders

Mats Deijl - 8.5: A true captain's performance. He scored the winning goal with a composed finish a striker would be proud of. On top of that, he was a rock at the back, making nine crucial clearances. He led by example and inspired his team to a famous victory.

Gerrit Nauber - N/A: Only played 15 minutes before an unfortunate injury forced him off. Picked up a yellow card in his short time on the pitch.

Joris Kramer - 8.0: What a performance. Not only solid defensively with six clearances and two interceptions, but he also provided the assist for the crucial equalizing goal. He read the game beautifully and stood tall against Premier League opposition. A fantastic display.

Dean James - 5.5: A mixed bag. He was defensively sound for large parts, but giving away the penalty was a moment of madness that almost cost his team dearly. He was bailed out by Buendía's miss. That single error heavily brings down his rating despite some otherwise decent play.

Midfielders

Jakob Breum - 6.5: Looked bright and creative before his evening was cut short by injury. Created a big chance and his energy was causing problems. It was a shame to see him go off.

Mathis Suray - 8.5: The engine of the team. Scored the all-important equalizer that changed the entire complexion of the match. His work rate was phenomenal, with four tackles won and constant pressure on the Villa midfield. An outstanding all-around performance.

Richonell Margaret - 6.0: He worked tirelessly but often lacked the final product. Was caught offside a couple of times and lost possession frequently. His effort was there but the quality wasn't always.

Melle Meulensteen - 7.0: The unsung hero in midfield. He did the dirty work effectively, breaking up play with tackles and interceptions. His simple and efficient use of the ball allowed the more creative players to shine. A very disciplined performance.

Y. Rahmouni - 7.0: Very impressive. Won all three of his tackles and was composed on the ball before being substituted. He played a key role in winning the midfield battle in the second half. A mature performance.

Forwards

Milan Smit - 6.5: He didn't get on the scoresheet, but he played the lone striker role to perfection. He battled with Mings and Torres, held up the ball, and brought his midfielders into play. A selfless and tireless shift for the team.

Substitutes

Calvin Twigt - 7.0: Came on for the injured Nauber and slotted in seamlessly.

Kenzo Goudmijn - 6.5: Brought fresh legs and energy to help see out the win.

Robbin Weijenberg, Aske Adelgaard, Evert Linthorst - N/A: Came on late to help secure the historic result.

Manager

M. Boel - 9.0: A tactical masterclass. His team weathered the early storm, and his halftime team talk must have been legendary. He identified Villa's weaknesses and exploited them perfectly in the second half. To mastermind such a comeback against a team of Villa's stature is an incredible achievement.