Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa - Visitors secure stalemate as both teams reduced to 10 men in UEFA Europa Conference League clash
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Updated 08/03/2024 at 00:23 GMT
It proved to be hardly a thriller at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening, as Ajax welcomed Aston Villa to Amsterdam for the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie. Unai Emery's side produced what was a pretty classic performance away from home in a two-legged contest as they defended stoutly. Both teams were reduced to 10 men late on as tempers flared.
Ajax v Aston Villa Europa Conference League highlights as both teams have player sent off in draw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ezri Konsa and Tristan Gooijer were sent off late on as Ajax and Aston Villa played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday.
An electric atmosphere at the Johan Cruyff Arena did not lead to a thrilling contest – Brian Brobbey’s miss the only highlight of a tepid first half.
However, a liberal use of his cards from referee Enea Jorgji eventually sparked things into life in the final 10 minutes.
With Konsa shown a second booking for dragging down Chuba Akpom, Gooijer then received his marching orders for what the official deemed a reckless lunge three minutes later.
Both teams almost made the greater space they were subsequently afforded count – Akpom failing to head home when unmarked in the box before Leon Bailey saw a dangerous effort blocked, with Villa – on the back of their superb home record – surely the favourites to get the job done in the second leg at Villa Park.
With Villa’s defence dozing, Brobbey should have put Ajax ahead just after the half-hour, only for the striker to drill wide when one-on-one with Emiliano Martinez.
Villa’s goalkeeper came to the visitors’ rescue after the restart, brilliantly keeping out Kenneth Taylor’s effort.
Yet Villa’s composed display came unstuck in the 83rd minute – Konsa seeing red after he was adjudged to have dragged down substitute Akpom. However, numerical parity was soon restored when referee Jorgji sent Gooijer off for a challenge on Nicolo Zaniolo.
Akpom should have done better with a free header in the final minute of normal time, and Bailey might have made Ajax pay if not for Ahmetcan Kaplan’s excellent block in stoppage time, to leave the tie finely poised heading into the second leg.
Talking Point – Villa in second gear
Given Ajax’s troubles this season, Villa might have rocked up with a bit more swagger to their play.
But, with a huge league match against Tottenham coming up on Sunday, Unai Emery went with a more conservative approach. It ultimately paid off, though it could easily have gone the other way, given the chances Ajax squandered, and Villa can perhaps consider themselves fortunate.
Player of the Match – Ahmetcan Kaplan (Ajax)
It was an accomplished display from 21-year-old defender Kaplan, who capped off an excellent performance with that block on Bailey in added time. He kept Ollie Watkins quiet all game.
Player Ratings
Ajax: Ramaj 6, Rensch 7, Kaplan 8*, Hato 7, Gooijer 5, Henderson 7, Mannsverj 6, Sosa 6, Hlynsson 5, Brobbey 6, Taylor 6. Subs: Akpom 6, Van den Boomen 7.
Aston Villa: Martinez 8, Konsa 5, Torres 6, Lenglet 6, Digne 6, Diaby 5, Tielemans 5, Luiz 6, Iroegbunam 6, Watkins 4, Rogers 5. Subs: Cash 6, McGinn 6, Moreno 6, Zaniolo 6, Bailey 6.
Match Highlights
34’ - MISS! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Brobbey): What a chance that was for Ajax! Villa’s high line does not trap Brobbey offside this time, as he gets on the end of a neat throughball and he is then driving at goal. He really is rapid, but the touch to set him for a finish is a poor one that allows Konsa to get back and just apply enough pressure to nudge Brobbey off balance, and his eventual shot flies into the side netting.
67’ – BIG SAVE! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Martinez): A free-flowing Ajax moves sees Taylor – who robbed Luiz of possession – charge forward before playing a slick one-two with Sosa. Taylor gets a first-time shot off, and it was destined to sneak in at the near post, but Martinez reacts brilliantly to make a fantastic stop, and he even prevents it going out for a corner. That was a huge chance for Ajax!
83’ – RED CARD! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Konsa): Konsa is off, and now this match has really opened up! The Villa centre-back, who was booked earlier on, is caught out by Akpom and, after they tangle together, the official reaches for a second yellow card and Konsa has to go! He is angry, and perhaps it was harsh, but now Villa will have to hold on...
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Konsa sees red late on for Villa after getting into an almighty tangle with Akpom
Video credit: TNT Sports
86’ – RED CARD! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Gooijer): Well, the referee has really lost control here, and now Ajax are down to 10 and we're all square! Gooijer has received his marching orders after lunging in for a tackle. To be honest, it didn't look worthy of a second booking, but the official disagrees.
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Referee ‘has lost it’ – Controversy as Gooijer sent off for Ajax
Video credit: TNT Sports
89’ – HUGE CHANCE! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Akpom): That should have been the winner for Ajax! A cross from the left catches Villa's defence cold, but despite being unmarked in the centre of the area, Akpom completely fails to connect with his attempted header. Another big let off for Villa!
92’ – GREAT BLOCK! Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Kaplan): Bailey thinks he's about to win it as he lines up a shot from just inside the area, but Kaplan – who has been excellent – gets across to make a perfectly timed block. We're well into four minutes of stoppage time in Amsterdam.
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