Goalkeeper: Neto (Valencia) - 7.46 rating
Valencia hold a hefty first leg advantage following their 3-1 win at Villarreal on Thursday night as goals from Goncalo Guedes and Daniel Wass secured victory at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Neto provided a solid rearguard for Los Che as the Brazilian made five saves in the win to land a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) - 7.16 rating
The first of two Chelsea players to make the cut in this XI, Cesar Azpilicueta put in an unassuming display for the Blues as they secured a 1-0 win at Slavia Prague. It was a performance fans have come to expect from the Spaniard, who returned a WhoScored rating of 7.16 as he made four clearances, three tackles and one interception to help secure a clean sheet in the Czech Republic.
Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Benfica) - 7.72 rating
Benfica have two players in this XI after their 4-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt with rumoured Manchester United target Ruben Dias the first to make the cut. The centre-back scored his first European goal of the season in the victory over the German counterparts as he netted with his only shot in the game, while four clearances, four aerial duels won, three interceptions and two tackles saw Dias land a WhoScored rating of 7.72.
Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) - 7.36 rating
Arsenal were hugely impressive in their 2-0 win over Napoli and have five players in the best XI of the week, with Laurent Koscielny the first to feature. The Frenchman made the joint-most interceptions of the first leg fixtures, with four, while additional returns of three clearances and two aerial duels won helped Koscielny return a WhoScored rating of 7.36.
Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) - 8.24 rating
The second Chelsea player to make the cut, Marcos Alonso’s late winner means the Blues take a one-goal advantage back to Stamford Bridge next week, with the Spaniard’s header his second goal of the Europa League this season. No player made more tackles this week than Alonso (5) in the narrow 1-0 win, while two interceptions saw him return a WhoScored rating of 8.24.
Right midfield: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) - 7.92 rating
The first of three Arsenal players to make up the midfield, Ainsley Maitland-Niles put in a man of the match display for the Gunners against Napoli, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.92. The 21-year-old provided the assist for Aaron Ramsey’s fine opener, that coming from one of two key passes over 90 minutes. Two tackles, two interceptions and one successful dribble capped off a fine evening for Maitland-Niles.
Central midfield: Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) - 7.70 rating
Lucas Torriera put in a barnstorming 77-minute shift for the Gunners on Thursday night as he pursued the ball with ruthless efficiency, making two tackles and two interceptions in the 2-0 win over Napoli. Two key passes, one successful dribble and an 85% pass success rate rounded off a fine midfield display for the pint-sized Uruguayan, who landed a WhoScored rating of 7.70.
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Central midfield: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) - 7.78 rating
With a WhoScored rating of 7.78, Aaron Ramsey partners Lucas Torreira in the middle of the park, with the Welshman setting Arsenal on their path to victory with a fine opening goal. Ramsey mustered five shots in the win over Napoli and went on to make two successful dribbles, two interceptions and one tackle in a splendid showing in the midfield.
Left midfield: Goncalo Guedes (Valencia) - 8.45 rating
Villarreal shot themselves in the foot by conceding twice late on at home to Valencia with Goncalo Guedes bagging a brace to hand Los Che the advantage coming into next week’s return leg. The Portugal star netted his second and third goals of the Europa League season, hitting the back of the net with two of three shots, as Guedes landed the WhoScored man of the match award with an 8.45 rating.
Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 7.57 rating
The final Arsenal player to make the cut is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon star may not have had a direct hand in a goal, but it wasn’t for want of trying as he mustered five shots and two key passes on Thursday night to garner a WhoScored rating of 7.57.
Striker: Joao Felix (Benfica) - 9.92 rating
Making up this XI is our Europa League player of the week and second Benfica player to make the grade, Joao Felix. The teenager has been attracting hefty interest from Europe’s elite sides and he proved why with a hat-trick and an assist in their 4-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. His treble came from four shots, while three key passes and one successful dribble saw Felix gain a fine WhoScored rating of 9.92.
