Aston Villa failed to continue their perfect start in the Europa League as they were beaten by Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands on Thursday.
Mathis Suray and Mats Deijl scored as Villa lost 2-1 to Go Ahead Eagles, despite having dominated much of the first half on 23 October.
Evann Guessand had put Unai Emery‘s side ahead, but the home side fought back and emerged victorious after Emi Buendia skied a late penalty over the bar.
Amadou Onana was praised for his involvement in Guessand’s goal against Go Ahead Eagles, but the midfielder was powerless to prevent Villa‘s collapse.
Here, Villa News shares three things learned from a disappointing night in the Netherlands.
Jadon Sancho in line for further minutes after making his mark
Jadon Sancho was handed a rare start for Villa on Thursday, making just his second start since completing his loan move from Manchester United.
And the winger instantly made his presence felt, providing the deflected cross that fell into the path of Guessand for the game’s opening goal.
| Jadon Sancho | Vs Go Ahead Eagles (A) |
| Minutes played | 67 |
| Accurate passes | 32/35 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Successful dribbles | 1 |
| Was fouled | 2 |
The 25-year-old continued to impress and should have had an assist when Buendia shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Sancho was a constant threat down the left in the first half, completed 91 per cent of his passes, and continued to see plenty of the ball until he was substituted in the 67th minute.
Given some of the other performances on the night, the Englishman may well have earned himself a starting spot against Manchester City.
Evann Guessand is bright but wasteful
Guessand scored his first goal for Villa in the first half, bundling in after Jari De Busser had parried Sancho’s cross into the Ivory Coast international’s pass.
It was a confidence-boosting moment for the winger, but he may well have had one or two more in the opening 30 minutes.
Everything seemed to go through Guessand, with the 24-year-old constantly found in space behind the Go Ahead Eagles’ defence.
But time and time again, the forward was off the mark with his finish. Shooting straight at the keeper and failing to find his teammates.
Guessand would end the game having won just one of his five ground duels, completing none of his dribbles or crosses, and scoring one of his three shots.
Emery would have been impressed by the level of energy Guessand showed, but the winger did not do himself any favours with his finishing.
Pau Torres could be dropped after lapses prove fatal
Villa had looked ready to run away with the game before Suray’s equaliser, having dominated the chances, and really should have been two or three goals ahead.
But it would take just one lapse in concentration to allow GA Eagles back into the game. The home side won a free kick in the Villa half, and chose to chip towards Suray.
The winger had been allowed to stroll past Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, finding himself in acres of space on the edge of the box, before controlling and shooting.
His deflected shot would go in off Torres, and the Spaniard was largely at fault for the home side’s second, too.
Right-back Deijl ran directly through the middle of the centre-back and Ian Maatsen, finishing past Emi Martinez with ease.
Torres would end the game having failed to win a single duel throughout the contest.
With Erling Haaland the next striker Villa will face, it would not be a surprise to see Torres dropped.
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