Aston Villa secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday, with goals from Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran sealing all three points.
It was a scrappy contest with both sides picking up multiple bookings and committing fouls throughout, and that in turn led to a disrupted and stop-start encounter that lacked rhythm.
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That said, Villa did enjoy periods of good play in which we were on top as we started to play with some fluidity, while Leicester carried a threat themselves in a real battle at the King Power Stadium.
Fortunately though, we were able to craft two really well-worked moves to break down their defence, and it’s a boost for Villa to sign off with a win ahead of the international break.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Leicester City:
Emiliano Martinez, 7 – Made a smart save in the first half from close range as the hosts pushed for an equaliser before the break. Distribution was accurate for the most part, while he commanded his box well.
Lamare Bogarde, 6.5 – Put in a good shift in the first half on his Premier League debut, as he looked composed and focused with his defensive play as well as when playing out from the back. Struggled as the game went on though, as he was booked and then got caught out for the Leicester goal down his side by Mavididi.
Ezri Konsa, 7.5 – Solid performance as always as he marshalled the backline well, particularly with Bogarde next to him on that right side of our defence. Won duels and added an important presence in defence to keep things tight.
Pau Torres, 7 – Crucial as ever with his ability to set the tempo and play out from defence to get us on our way. An attentive defensive display too as he helped shut down Leicester’s threat through the middle.
Lucas Digne, 7 – Produced a good ball into the box for Duran’s winner, while he limited Leicester’s threat down our left flank in a decent defensive effort.
Amadou Onana, 7.5 – Great movement and anticipation to score his second goal of the season, and although he was eventually forced off with a knock, his physicality and ability to impose himself in midfield was crucial to giving us a foothold.
Youri Tielemans, 8 – Hampered by a yellow card, but the Belgian international was a class act in the Villa midfield. Elegant with his technical ability to set the tempo for us and dictate our play, he was a crucial presence in midfield as his work-rate was top class too in giving us defensive structure in front of the backline.
Leon Bailey, N/A – Lasted just 16 minutes, it’s hoped his injury isn’t serious and doesn’t force him to have a spell on the sidelines.
Morgan Rogers, 6.5 – Although he gave us a critical out-ball and his physicality allowed us to impose ourselves in a scrappy game, he wasn’t as sharp in possession this weekend as he was often sloppy with the ball. However, played his part in a battling display and win.
John McGinn, 7 – As always, an energetic and tenacious presence in the side, regardless of a positional change after Bailey’s injury. Couldn’t provide the quality needed in the final third to be decisive, but a vital shift for the team.
Ollie Watkins, 6.5 – Still lacking that clinical edge to his play in front of goal as he had a couple of chances but couldn’t convert. His work-rate is as important as ever as he pressed well up top to force mistakes, but he’s still searching for his peak sharpness to be more ruthless.
Substitutes:
Jacob Ramsey, 7 – Unfortunate to be subbed off but Villa needed to shut up shop more effectively to protect our lead. Another positive impact though as his movement and driving runs were a problem for Leicester, while his cut-back pass set up Onana’s opener.
Jhon Duran, 7.5 – A brilliant header to seal the win. Had a lot to do to generate power on his finish, but he looped it in over the goalkeeper as he made the perfect impact off the bench once again. May well be pushing for a start as Watkins continues to search for form.
Ross Barkley, 7 – Important influence on our play at a time when we were coming under pressure. Added energy and composure in possession to help us get a level of control again as Leicester were in the ascendancy and threatening.
Kosta Nedeljkovic, N/A
Ian Maatsen, N/A
