Here's how Middlesbrough's players rated against Aston Villa:

9 Glover: Brilliant performance from the goalkeeper, who deserved a clean sheet. One-handed stop from McGinn early in second half the pick of his saves. Desperately unfortunate with Villa’s late winner.

7 Jones: Defensively disciplined and stuck to his task.  Grew into the game in attacking sense in second half. Decision making let him down once or twice.

7 Van den Berg: Another mature performance from the teenage defender, who took another new challenge in his stride in a new-look back three.

8 Clarke: Outstanding display, his best in a Boro shirt. Hardly put a foot wrong at the heart of the back three. Another who deserved a clean sheet.  

7 Engel: Did well in unfamiliar central role. Supported Bangura and helped to contain Bailey, who was substituted.

8 Bangura: Excellent display full of energy. Rock solid defensively, winning the battle against Bailey and a threat going forward.

7 Hackney: Captained his hometown team for the first time on his return to the side. Worked incredibly hard in the first half, caught out in possession a couple of times but also worked it neatly from tight areas on more than occasion and looked to set Boro on the attack every time he got the ball.

8 Barlaser: With Hackney back, the obvious thinking is Carrick will go back to his previous first choice midfield pairing but with that in mind this was a timely and brilliant display from Barlaser. He was never flustered in possession and was tireless out of it. Has given Carrick a real dilemma ahead of Chelsea.

6 Greenwood: No shortage of effort from the forward, who pressed and chased well. Linked up well with Bangura.

7 Rogers: Went close in the first half with front post drive. Found pockets of space and looked more threatening as the game went on.

7 Coburn: Tough ask with Villa dominating much of the possession in the first half. Tried to make life as difficult as possible for the visiting defenders and held up the ball extremely well when he got the opportunity.

Substitutes:

7 Howson (for Hackney, 58): Fresh legs in middle for last half hour. His experience and calm head helped as Boro came close to holding out for draw.

8 Latte Lath (for Coburn, 58): Really bright, sharp and dangerous from the bench. Desperately unlucky with deflection.

Coulson (for Bangura, 83): N/A

Gilbert (for Barlaser, 83): N/A

Fry (for Jones, 83) N/A

Subs not used: J.Jones, Crooks, McCabe, Bridge

Aston Villa: Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Lenglet 7, Moreno 6, Dendoncker 6 (Luiz, 70), Kamara 7, McGinn 7 (Diaby, 70), Ramsey 7, Bailey 6 (Zaniolo, 70), Duran 6 (Watkins, 70)

Subs not used: Marschall, Proctor, Carlos, Iroegbunam.

Man of the Match: Tom Glover. Made a string of fine saves and was only beaten by cruel late deflection.