Aston Villa ratings from Leicester win as one excels with 8/10 but one ‘toothless’ player gets 4

Unai Emery’s men were far from convincing - especially in the first period - but a superb 20-yard strike from Ross Barkley and a near post tap-in from Leon Bailey were enough to secure a valuable three points at Villa Park.

The first half was one of the drabbest you’ll ever see as just three shots were taken by both teams combined; an Ollie Watkins strike was blocked at the near post by Conor Coady, Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss fired a speculative effort from range well over the crossbar and Matty Cash had a powerful drive saved by Jakub Stolarczyk. The Foxes sat very compact for much of the first period, difficult to break down as Villa tried to find space but failed in most instances. Morgan Rogers’ absence was very noticeable for the hosts as they struggled to break forward with any vigour whatsoever.

It was a different story after the interval, however, as Villa upped the ante and took the lead in the 58th minute through Barkley. Lucas Digne’s cross was headed out by Yannik Vestergaard but only as far as Barkley, who took a touch to compose himself before drilling the ball home. Villa Park could only celebrate for a few minutes, though, as Stephy Mavididi levelled up the scoring for Leicester just after the hour mark. Emi Martinez made a fine save to deny Jamie Vardy at point blank range but Mavididi was quickest to react on the follow up, nutmegging Cash to squeeze the ball in for 1-1.

The game looked set to eclipse in a frustrating end but Bailey had other ideas as he slammed the ball home to regain Villa’s lead, finally scoring his first goal of the season. Ian Maatsen, off the bench to make an instant impact, intercepted, played a one-two with Jacob Ramsey and cut the ball back perfectly for Bailey to tuck into the near corner. It was an inspired substitution from Emery.

Villa simply had to make it 3-1 in the 84th minute in what was an incredibly chaotic phase of play. Bailey thundered off the crossbar before Emi Buendia had a shot cleared off the line and Watkins followed up from close range, somehow missing the target as he leaned back and shanked the ball over. Villa’s number 11 nearly made amends in the 88th as he spun two Leicester defenders but the man he set up, Buendia, also failed to convert. It didn’t matter in the end as Villa held on for the win.

Player ratings

Emiliano Martinez - 7

Commanded his area well for the most part and made a brilliant save to deny Vardy in the second half. It was just a shame Mavididi was there to finish on the rebound.

Matty Cash - 7

Registered the first shot on target of the game with a decent strike saved by the diving Stolarcyzk and made more tackles (6) than any other player on the field. Should’ve done better for Mavididi’s goal, however, as he reacted too slowly and was then nutmegged to allow the ball into the net.

Ezri Konsa - 7

Dealt well with Vardy’s runs in behind and made several important defensive interventions, including two or three great clearances.

Tyrone Mings - 6

Struggled to fill Pau’s boots as the ball-playing centre-back but was strong in the air to head away from dangerous crosses.

Lucas Digne - 6 (off 76’)

Made two sliding challenges and mopped up loose passes when required. Lacked accuracy with his crosses, mind.

Boubacar Kamara - 6

Struggled to command the base of midfield as he usually would in a physical sense. Didn’t put much of a foot wrong with his passing but wasn’t exactly ambitious.

Ross Barkley - 8* (off 76’)

Scored the opening goal and it was a cracker as he struck fiercely into the bottom corner. Looked the best player in what was otherwise a terrible first half, too, as he picked out passes others couldn’t. Broke up the play effectively.

John McGinn - 6 (off 19’)

Saw his game end early as he was forced off with a hamstring issue.

Leon Bailey - 7

Scored the winning goal as he positioned himself well to convert from Maatsen’s square. Nearly had a second as he whacked the ball against the bar. Let down by his first half as he ran into trouble near enough every time he took on a Leicester player.

Youri Tielemans - 6

The former Leicester man was the most advanced of Villa’s midfielders but he failed to create a single chance. He tracked back and pressed well, though, boosting his rating.

Ollie Watkins - 4

Toothless on the day as he missed both of his chances, seeing a shot blocked in the first half before missing a sitter late on. At fault for Leicester’s goal, too, as he gave the ball away cheaply in the build up. Created a great chance at the end for Buendia – his best moment.

Subs:

Jacob Ramsey - 6 (on 19’)

Not at his electric best by any means but laid off Maatsen before the Bailey goal and did his defensive duties well.

Ian Maatsen - 7 (on 76’)

The definition of an impact sub as he assisted Bailey’s winner just seconds after entering the field.

Emi Buendia - 6 (on 76’)

Got in some great positions but failed to score, first seeing a shot blocked on the line before skying over the bar from a Watkins cutback.