Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa: Jordan Henderson’s hopes of collecting a ninth major trophy are kept alive after goalless draw in Amsterdam… as both sides finish the match with 10-men after late dismissals in last-16 tie
- Ajax and Aston Villa produced a goalless draw when they met on Thursday night
- Both teams had players sent off late into the clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena
- CHRIS SUTTON and IAN LADYMAN give their title predictions (finally!) – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Jordan Henderson kept alive his chances of adding a ninth major trophy to his collection with a commanding display as his Ajax side held 10-man Aston Villa.
Though Villa will be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League after the second leg in Birmingham next week, Henderson showed all his experience of European competition to drive this young side on.
Constantly encouraging and marshalling his colleagues, Henderson showed his still has the mettle to cut it at this level and did his chances of retaining his spot in the England squad for Euro 2024 no harm at all.
Villa defender Ezri Konsa was sent off along with Ajax’s Tristan Gooijer as referee Enea Jorgji had a poor game. Villa boss Unai Emery will also be satisfied with the result, if not the performance.
‘Next week we will try to impose ourselves more than we did here and try to feel strong at home with our supporters,’ said Emery. ‘We didn’t deserve more than we achieved today.
Ajax and Aston Villa produced a goalless draw when they met in Europe on Thursday night
Both teams ended the match with 10-men after Ezri Konsa and Tristan Gooijer were sent off
Jordan Henderson (middle) kept up his chances of adding a ninth major trophy to his collection
‘It’s always difficult in Europe and we are getting important experiences. Henderson is helping Ajax a lot now and they have a lot of young, talented players.’
With one eye on Sunday’s huge Premier League clash with Tottenham, Emery held back Leon Bailey and John McGinn until midway through the second half, with both certain starters against Spurs.
This team does not have the class of some Ajax sides of the past but they should have taken a first-half lead when Brian Brobbey sprinted on to Jorrel Hato’s pass only to produce a poor finish.
With key Villa defender Pau Torres taken off at the interval, Kenneth Taylor squandered Ajax’s second clear opportunity midway through the second half when Borna Sosa picked out his late run into the box and the Holland international forced a sharp save from Martinez.
Villa will be full of confidence as they prepare for the second-leg to be held at Villa Park
By now McGinn and Bailey were on for Villa and Bailey was instantly menacing as he tricked his way into the box and drew a terrific block from Hato.
With time ticking away, Konsa was shown a second yellow card when he hauled down substitute Chuba Akpom – the former Middlesbrough man – and will now miss the second leg.
It was soon 10 against 10 when Tristian Gooijer was given a very harsh second booking for a tug on sub Nicolo Zaniolo inside the Villa half. Then in stoppage time Bailey’s volley was superbly blocked by Ahmetcan Kaplan.
