- Ajax and Aston Villa played a goalless draw on Thursday evening
- Both teams had players sent off late in the match at the Johan Cruijff Arena
- CHRIS SUTTON and IAN LADYMAN give their title predictions (finally!) – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Jordan Henderson kept his chances of adding a ninth major trophy to his collection alive with an impressive display as his Ajax side took care of 10-man Aston Villa.
Although Villa will be favorites to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League after the second leg in Birmingham next week, Henderson showed all his experience in European competition to propel this young side forward.
By constantly encouraging and motivating his colleagues, Henderson showed that he still has the courage to do it at this level and did not hurt his chances of retaining his place in the England squad for the 2024 European Championship pissed off.
Villa defender Ezri Konsa was sent off the field together with Ajax player Tristan Gooijer because referee Enea Jorgji played a bad match. Villa boss Unai Emery will also be pleased with the result, if not the performance.
“Next week we will try to impose ourselves more than here and try to feel strongly at home with our supporters,” said Emery. ‘We didn’t deserve more than we achieved today.
Ajax and Aston Villa played a goalless draw in Europe on Thursday evening
Both teams finished the match with 10 men after Ezri Konsa and Tristan Gooijer were sent off the field
Jordan Henderson (centre) maintained his chances of adding a ninth major trophy to his collection
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‘It is always difficult in Europe and we are gaining important experiences. “Henderson is helping Ajax a lot now and they have a lot of young, talented players.”
With one eye on Sunday’s big Premier League clash with Tottenham, Emery kept Leon Bailey and John McGinn out until midway through the second half, with both certain starters against Spurs.
This team doesn’t have the class of some Ajax sides of the past, but they should have taken a lead in the first half when Brian Brobbey sprinted onto Jorrel Hato’s pass and produced a poor finish.
With key Villa defender Pau Torres departed at the break, Kenneth Taylor squandered Ajax’s second clear chance midway through the second half when Borna Sosa grabbed his late run into the box and the Holland international forced a sharp save from Martinez.
Villa will be confident as they prepare for the second leg to be held at Villa Park
It was now McGinn and Bailey’s turn for Villa and Bailey was immediately threatening as he pushed his way into the penalty area and drew a great block from Hato.
As time ticked down, Konsa was shown a second yellow card when he brought down substitute Chuba Akpom – the former Middlesbrough man – and will now miss the second leg.
It was soon 10 against 10 when Tristian Gooijer received a very hard second booking for a tug on sub Nicolo Zaniolo in the Villa half. Then, in stoppage time, Bailey’s volley was superbly blocked by Ahmetcan Kaplan.