Aston Villa FC leads at the half against Latvia | OneFootball

England found the early lead off a spectacular goal from Reece James, but Aston Villa FC had a good showing in the first half against Latvia. For the second match in a row, the Three Lions faced a side that was willing to muddy things up with a back-five and park-the-bus mentality.

As some on social media called it, AVFC had a lively opening 45 minutes despite facing an opposition that stayed in a defensive 5-4-1 formation. Three of Unai Emery's men in the starting XI more than warrant calling the national team Aston Villa FC. In truth, the Wembley hosts were unfortunate to not have been up by a couple of goals by the break.

The Villa players in particular nearly entered the score sheet. Morgan Rogers looked good in his first-time starting role. In an attacking position, Rogers did well in build-up play and had two great opportunities by staying alert and attacking deflected balls in the penalty area. This aggressiveness to scoop up second chance opportunities is an industriousness that all good teams need and can only help England if they are to match Thomas Tuchel's aims of winning it all in North America next year.

He also found Marcus Rashford, as the two midfielders often connected through the passing game. They furthermore had success with Jude Bellingham serving as the pivot point of threatening Krisjanis Zviedris and making their defense uncomfortable.

Rashford in particular did a good job of heeding his international manager's plea to play more lively in the final third. His stepovers and fakes nearly set up Harry Kane and his other teammates. The current Villa player also had two good crosses from a wide position that nearly found their target person.

Major worry for Aston Villa

It wasn't all good news, however. Ezri Konsa had his left Achilles stepped on as the half came to a close. The defender had to get treatment on the sidelines and gave Villa fans a big moment of worry. Overall, his performance was solid once again, as his CB partner nearly gave up a blunder of a score to the opposition.

Konsa, furthermore, was unlucky to not have scored himself as he saw his powerful shot from close range somehow stay out. Tuchel wanted to see more positive possession and for the players to be more daring. The Aston Villa men more than held up their end.