Aston Villa made it two wins from two games on the road in the Premier League this season following their 1-2 win over newly promoted Leicester City at the King Power Stadium yesterday afternoon.
It has been quite the week hasn’t it? Oasis are back. More importantly, with the Champions League draw this week, Aston Villa’s return to the European elite felt more real. Oh, and the transfer window finally came to its conclusion.
Despite its conclusion, the questions remain. Have Aston Villa done enough? Should we have strengthened other areas of the squad? What it even possible with PSR? Despite all the questions, I think we all know deep down the answer to that final question following the interview Monchi did with Talksport a week or so ago.
Regardless, we move forward and only time will tell. It was nice to have a match day back so we can turn our attention to what matters.
The big surprise before kick-off came when Villa’s team news was released. With Matty Cash ruled out of action for a month with a hamstring injury, Lamare Bogarde was named as his replacement, with many expecting Kosta Nedeljković to get the nod but the Serbian had to settle for a place on the bench.
The visitors almost got off to a perfect start when former Foxes midfielder Youri Tielemans picked out England International Ollie Watkins with a through ball but Mads Hermansen raced off his line to deny the striker.
The striker soon found himself in a similar position moments later but the Danish goalkeeper once again denied him with a smart save to his right.
Unai Emery’s side eventually found a breakthrough just before the half-hour mark. Villa was awarded a free-kick mid-way into the Leicester half following a tackle from behind from Oliver Skipp. Tielemans cleverly picked out substitute Jacob Ramsey, who had replaced the injured Leon Bailey, who cut the ball back inside the box for Amadou Onana to score from close range.
The best chances for the home side fell to Caleb Okoli. Just before the half-time whistle, he came close only to be denied with ease by Emiliano Martínez. The Italian had another effort from range early in the second half but the result was the same.
John Durán replaced Watkins on the hour mark and it took him no time at all to double Villa’s lead. Lucas Digne whipped in a cross and picked out the Columbian who was able to flick the ball over Hermansen and into the far corner.
The home side pulled one back late on through substitute Facundo Buonanotte to give the home side a glimmer of hope.
Late on Leicester thought they had won a penalty when Ezri Konsa looked to have taken down Jamie Vardy but the linesman’s offside flag killed any late hope.
It is now four wins from four for Aston Villa at a stadium they previously struggled at and nine wins from ten under Emery against newly promoted sides.
Emery: “I’m very happy, we competed like we did in the first two matches, (August is) a difficult moment for every team because of playing with the transfer window.
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.”
Steve Cooper: “For me, it should have never been a free-kick in the first place and that changed the complexion of the game.
I think everyone in the stadium would have got booked if the referee could’ve got round to it. I’ve just accepted the refereeing is where it is.
You just keep your fingers crossed because of where refereeing is every week that it doesn’t go against you on a given game day.”
I was dreading the International window but with Villa racking up injuries already it may have come at the right time for us. Next up for Villa is a home tie against Everton in two weeks in the Premier League evening kick-off.
Leicester will travel to Crystal Palace on the same day.
