Aston Villa responded positively to their defeat against Arsenal last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Goals from Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran, as it was when Villa beat West Ham United on the opening day of the season, gave Villa the three points.
Villa set the tone
The Villans dominated the opening stages of the match and had several opportunities to take the lead. Ollie Watkins, who was aiming to get off the mark and score his first goal for the season, was played through by a wonderful Youri Tielemans through ball, only to be denied by Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen when trying to go round him. Watkins was then denied again by an excellent save low to his right as the frustration continued to build for Villa's star man.
Morgan Rogers once again was bullying the opposing midfield and defence with his bulldozing dribbling through the middle of pitch to create openings for Villa, but chances were going begging. It began to feel similar to the match against Arsenal the week before where Villa created several chances but were unable to put the ball in the net.
Thankfully for Villa this would not prove to be the case. The away side took the lead just before the half hour mark after a brilliantly worked free kick. Your Tielemans played a through ball from the free kick to Jacob Ramsey who was running from deep towards the box. In a clearly practiced routine, Ramsey picked up the ball just outside the box and drove forwards before sliding the ball across for Amadou Onana to put the ball into the corner of the net on the slide. Onana's second goal of the season, matching his tally for the entire season last time out for Everton, gave Villa a deserved lead.
Jacob Ramsey went close to doubling the lead moments later but his shot was saved and Emi Martinez then denied Caleb Okoli from close-range to see Villa through to half time with their lead in tact.
Super-sub Duran proves his worth once again
For the third game running, Jhon Duran replaced England international Ollie Watkins with half an hour left to play. Watkins is still searching for that first goal but his match fitness is starting to improve having played very little football during pre-season.
Just two minutes after coming on to the pitch, Duran scored to give Villa a 2-0 lead. Lucas Digne surged forward down the left and whipped a delicious out-swinging cross into the box. Colombian forward Duran leapt highest to power a header past the Leicester keeper into the far corner.
Defensive frailties appear again for Villa
Leicester new boy Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, pulled a goal back for the home side with fifteen minutes to play to set up a tense finale for the visitors. After some good play down the left from Stephy Mavididi, who dribbled past Villa debutant at right-back Lamare Bogarde, his cross fell at the feet of Buonanotte who smashed the ball into the corner from close range.
Villa struggled once more to deal with a cross in the air and failed to clear their lines at the first attempt. This was a theme that occurred regularly for Villa last season and it would suggest that they are still missing a dominant defender in the air in the back line.
However, after some nervy moments in the final few minutes of the game the Villa defence held firm and clung on to the victory.
Unai Emery urges Villa to be more consistent
Speaking after the match, Villa boss Unai Emery spoke of his delight to take the three points to Villa Park but said he wishes for his team to find the consistency that will result in more wins.
""Those points today and in the first match against West Ham are fantastic to play and win being away. Being competitive and achieving the points, and even playing against Arsenal at home we competed well. We are trying to be consistent with the same ideas, style. Today I am very happy. We closed August with six points and have to be happy but keep going.""
Player ratings for Villa
Player | Rating (out of ten) | Description |
|---|---|---|
Emi Martinez | 7 | Fairly quiet game but made an important stop in the first half. Could do nothing about the Foxes goal. |
Lamare Bogarde | 7 | A solid debut for the youngster. He used the ball well and wasn't afraid to be phyiscal in his challenges. Received a booking in the second half an was dribbled past too easily in the build up to the Leicester goal. Much more to come from the young talent. |
Ezri Konsa | 8 | Konsa was as solid as always and kept Jamie Vardy quiet. |
Pau Torres | 8 | Torres passing and ability in possession allowed Villa to gain control from the back and he was solid as always. |
Lucas Digne | 9 | Digne was again superb at left-back, keeping Leicester's danger man Fatawu very quiet. Delivered a superb cross for the Duran winner. |
Youri Tielemans | 9 | Tielemans was once again excellent in tight spaces in the midfield and had a huge part to play in the first goal. Created lots of opportunities going forward. |
Amadou Onana | 8 | Onana's goal got Villa up and running and again showed why Villa paid the big money to sign the Belgian with a dominant midfield performance. Unfortunate to have to exit the game through injury after an hour. |
John McGinn | 7 | McGinn's role changed following the injury to Leon Bailey in the first half and his experience down the right proved very helpful to debutant Bogarde. |
Leon Bailey | 5 | Bailey looked lively early on but was forced to leave the game after just fifteen minutes with a hamstring injury. |
Morgan Rogers | 7 | Not as influential as against Arsenal but again demonstrated his excellent ball carrying ability to create opportunities. Solid. |
Ollie Watkins | 6 | Watkins was again frustrated in front of goal in search of his first of the season. Match sharpness improving. |
Jacob Ramsey | 8 | Ramsey provided an excellent assist for Onana's goal and played with confidence in possession. Looking like the Ramsey of 2022/23 once more. |
Ross Barkley | 7 | Barkley proved a good substitute as he kept possession and showed his excellent passing range. |
Jhon Duran | 8 | Emphatic header for the winning goal, proving again what a great talent he is. Will be pushing for a start against Everton. |
Kosta Nedeljkovic | 6 | Looked solid but had fairly little to do so late in the match. |
Ian Maatsen | 6 | Also looked good when he came on but a quiet afternoon for the Dutch full-back. |
Coming up for Villa...
Villa fans will now have to wait a couple of weeks to see their team take to the pitch again as the international break arrives. Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Pau Torres, John McGinn, Jaden Philogene and Ian Maatsen will all represent their countries during this break.
Once this period draws to a close, Villa will be at home to bottom of the table Everton on Saturday 14th September. Here is what September will look like for Aston Villa:
Date - Time | Opposition | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
14/09/24 - 17:30 | Everton | Villa Park | Premier League |
17/09/24 - 17:45 | Young Boys | Wankdorf Stadium | Champions League |
21/09/24 - 15:00 | Wolves | Villa Park | Premier League |
TBC | Wycombe Wanderers | Adams Park | Carabao Cup |
29/09/24 - 14:00 | Ipswich Town | Portman Road | Premier League |
UTV