FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TODAY! Hard to pick a player!!!!
Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:40 pm
Cardiff City duo Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls shine: Full player ratings as Bluebirds beat Aston Villa
The Bluebirds claimed all three points thanks to Joe Ralls' first half goal to start 2017 in perfect style
The Bluebirds enjoyed the perfect start to 2017 as Joe Ralls' first half effort have Cardiff City an impressive 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Here are the full player ratings...
BRIAN MURPHY
Home debut for the Irishman and a deserved clean sheet as he stayed solid and reliable at set-pieces and pulled out some key saves to deny Villa their comeback. 8
LEE PELTIER
Recovered from a calf problem to start and quickly showed why Warnock was so keen to have him back in his side. Solid as ever with experienced cover and aerial defence. 7
BRUNO MANGA
Last game for the centre-back before he heads off on international duty and stayed alert to Villa's threat with little fuss. 7
SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)
Caught by Villa's pace a few times and distribution poor but stayed strong in air and was threat in opposition box as always. 6
SOL BAMBA
Back from suspension and thrown into an anchor midfield role that, after some very early wobbles, he looked superb in. Cut out all manner of balls, didn't give Villa shirts a moment's peace and kept his discipline. 8
JOE BENNETT
Impressive showing from the full-back against his former club with good energy about his game, some notable attacking balls and a superb clearance from under his own bar after McCormack's free-kick hit the woodwork. 8
STAR MAN - ARON GUNNARSSON
Brilliant energy and effort once more from the Iceland international who simply set the tone for the rest of the side with a refusal to take a step back or a single breather. A vocal leader as well as one who gave the example for others to follow. 9
JOE RALLS
Another who will get a pat on the back from Warnock for throwing every ounce of energy into things, not to mention his decisive goal. 8
KADEEM HARRIS
Needed a big game to make the most of his chance to replace Peter Whittingham in the starting XI. Put himself about in a major way and really tried to take the game to the Villa full-backs, though lacked a little composure when needed. 7
JUNIOR HOILETT
Had not really been able to force his way into the game before falling foul of injury, leaving Craig Noone to add his zip to things. 6
KENNETH ZOHORE
Should have made more of big chance and still not the complete, clinical striker Cardiff need, but his work-rate and hold-up play gave the Bluebirds every chance. 7
Kenneth Zohore worked hard again
SUBS:
Craig Noone (for Hoillet 37)
Matt Connolly (for Bennett 82)
Not Used: Wilson (gk), Richards, Pilkington, Lambert, Huws.
SCORERS -
Cardiff: Ralls 17
YELLOW CARDS -
Cardiff: Ralls 27, Gunnarsson 57, Bamba 64, Peltier 74
Aston Villa: Chester 42, Grealish 61, Bacuna 78, Hutton 85
Referee: Andy Davies (Hants)
Attendance: 21, 391
Aston Villa: Bunn; Hutton, Chester (Capt), Baker, Amavi; Garnder(Tshibola 46), Westwood (Agbonlahor 46); Bacuna, Grealish, Adomah; McCormack (Hepburn-Murphy 83).
Subs Not Used: Gollini (gk), Elphick, Ayew, Cissokho.
The Bluebirds claimed all three points thanks to Joe Ralls' first half goal to start 2017 in perfect style
The Bluebirds enjoyed the perfect start to 2017 as Joe Ralls' first half effort have Cardiff City an impressive 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Here are the full player ratings...
BRIAN MURPHY
Home debut for the Irishman and a deserved clean sheet as he stayed solid and reliable at set-pieces and pulled out some key saves to deny Villa their comeback. 8
LEE PELTIER
Recovered from a calf problem to start and quickly showed why Warnock was so keen to have him back in his side. Solid as ever with experienced cover and aerial defence. 7
BRUNO MANGA
Last game for the centre-back before he heads off on international duty and stayed alert to Villa's threat with little fuss. 7
SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)
Caught by Villa's pace a few times and distribution poor but stayed strong in air and was threat in opposition box as always. 6
SOL BAMBA
Back from suspension and thrown into an anchor midfield role that, after some very early wobbles, he looked superb in. Cut out all manner of balls, didn't give Villa shirts a moment's peace and kept his discipline. 8
JOE BENNETT
Impressive showing from the full-back against his former club with good energy about his game, some notable attacking balls and a superb clearance from under his own bar after McCormack's free-kick hit the woodwork. 8
STAR MAN - ARON GUNNARSSON
Brilliant energy and effort once more from the Iceland international who simply set the tone for the rest of the side with a refusal to take a step back or a single breather. A vocal leader as well as one who gave the example for others to follow. 9
JOE RALLS
Another who will get a pat on the back from Warnock for throwing every ounce of energy into things, not to mention his decisive goal. 8
KADEEM HARRIS
Needed a big game to make the most of his chance to replace Peter Whittingham in the starting XI. Put himself about in a major way and really tried to take the game to the Villa full-backs, though lacked a little composure when needed. 7
JUNIOR HOILETT
Had not really been able to force his way into the game before falling foul of injury, leaving Craig Noone to add his zip to things. 6
KENNETH ZOHORE
Should have made more of big chance and still not the complete, clinical striker Cardiff need, but his work-rate and hold-up play gave the Bluebirds every chance. 7
Kenneth Zohore worked hard again
SUBS:
Craig Noone (for Hoillet 37)
Matt Connolly (for Bennett 82)
Not Used: Wilson (gk), Richards, Pilkington, Lambert, Huws.
SCORERS -
Cardiff: Ralls 17
YELLOW CARDS -
Cardiff: Ralls 27, Gunnarsson 57, Bamba 64, Peltier 74
Aston Villa: Chester 42, Grealish 61, Bacuna 78, Hutton 85
Referee: Andy Davies (Hants)
Attendance: 21, 391
Aston Villa: Bunn; Hutton, Chester (Capt), Baker, Amavi; Garnder(Tshibola 46), Westwood (Agbonlahor 46); Bacuna, Grealish, Adomah; McCormack (Hepburn-Murphy 83).
Subs Not Used: Gollini (gk), Elphick, Ayew, Cissokho.
Re: FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TODAY! Hard to pick a player!!!!
Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:08 pm
Thought it was a great team performance also and the players ratings were also what I'd have given them !
Pity Zohore missed that great chance ! He deserved a goal . Gunnarsson again superb and should defo be captain . Thought Villa fans got behind their team big time ! Great support . But on the whole , a vital 3 points for city and a clean sheet .
Pity Zohore missed that great chance ! He deserved a goal . Gunnarsson again superb and should defo be captain . Thought Villa fans got behind their team big time ! Great support . But on the whole , a vital 3 points for city and a clean sheet .
Re: FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TODAY! Hard to pick a player!!!!
Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:23 pm
Lyn, I agree with you fully. It was a god 'team' performance for the whole game and it appears Neil Warnock's recent words have finally got through to certain players! 
For me, Murphy was MotM (two of his saves were world class) closely followed by Bamba and Harris but t case could be made for most of the team today. A great performance (maybe boosted by us taking the 3 points) and good signs for the future when we can add a couple to the squad
For me, Murphy was MotM (two of his saves were world class) closely followed by Bamba and Harris but t case could be made for most of the team today. A great performance (maybe boosted by us taking the 3 points) and good signs for the future when we can add a couple to the squad
Re: FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE TODAY! Hard to pick a player!!!!
Tue Jan 03, 2017 11:23 am
I agree in the main, though thought Harris deserved an 8.
He looked to go past the guy every time and thought it was a fresh attacking option. The guy has pace to burn and really caused Villa problems
He looked to go past the guy every time and thought it was a fresh attacking option. The guy has pace to burn and really caused Villa problems