Aston Villa ace scores in big international win as defender keeps clean sheet and midfielder booed off
Three Aston Villa stars took massive steps towards World Cup qualification
Aston Villa’s highly-productive international break continued as Scotland stalwart John McGinn, Poland international Matty Cash and Netherlands forward Donyell Malen all took positive steps towards World Cup qualification.
It follows on from a great day for duo Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, who played very well for England in a resounding 3-0 victory over Wales, and Emi Martinez’s 1-0 victory for Argentina against Venezuela in a friendly match.
McGinn picked up his 81st cap for the Tartan Army against Belarus and played the full 90 minutes as a left-midfielder in a 2-1 victory. It marked Scotland’s second win in as many matches over the October break after Steve Clarke’s side also earned what can only be described as a snatch and grab 3-1 victory over Greece in mid-week.
However, the former West Brom boss was far from impressed from what he saw from his time against Belarus, and went as far to describe it as the most disappointing performance of his record-breaking 72-game stint in charge. Fans booed McGinn and the rest of his Scotland teammates off the pitch.
Reflecting on the performance, he told Sky Sports: "I'm really disappointed - really, really disappointed. "It's possibly as disappointed as I've been over the whole 72 games. We just didn't turn up. "But before I go down that route, and you start asking me questions about why I'm feeling like that, it's also to point out that performances don't get you qualification. And tonight was certainly not a performance.But we got three points and that's six points from the double-header so we're really pleased about that, as everyone with a Scottish connection will be. But the performance was way below par.”
McGinn admitted he saw a different side to Clarke during the contest but took the post-match interview as a chance to heap praise on the coach for helping him in his career.
"At half-time, and deservedly so, was the wildest I've seen him in 72 games," McGinn said. "But he's been brilliant not just for me, but for the country and the group. I think he has a lot of games left in him yet. A huge milestone but he's rightly angry. But he has again got us in a great position in a qualifying group. That can't be forgotten."
Matty Cash produces excellent display for Poland
Aston Villa stalwart Matty Cash was judged by WhoScored to be the second best performing player on the pitch as Poland took all three points away against Lithuania.
Cash was given a solid rating of 8.3/10 after completing three successful dribbles, five tackles and winning both of his aerial duels. The result leaves Poland in second position with 13 points from a possible 18; three behind leaders Netherlands who have 16 points from six matches.
Poland have the chance to potentially climb the table against Netherlands in the next break before a crunch final match against Malta away.
Donyell Malen continues excellent goalscoring form
Donyell Malen, who has had limited opportunities to shine for Aston Villa since his move from Borussia Dortmund in January, scored a brace against Burnley in his final match before the international break, and continued that strong form on international duty by scoring for Netherlands in an emphatic 4-0 win over Finland.
Malen was chosen to play as a right midfielder in an attacking trio behind Memphis Depay which also consisted of Justin Kluivert and Cody Gakpo. He opened the scoring after just eight minutes by firing in an excellent effort from outside the box and was a constant threat throughout the contest before being replaced by new Tottenham signing Xavi Simons in the 79th minute.
It means Malen now boasts a record of 12 goals in 47 appearances for Ronald Koeman’s side, with three of those coming in five matches during this qualification campaign. He’ll hope to continue this current form for Aston Villa as he targets a starting spot at the World Cup in North America in nine months time.