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A late strike from Bertrand Traore saw Aston Villa to a dramatic 2-1 win against managerless Leicester, who are now two points from Premier League safety.
Leicester – who were under the charge of coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Sunday – looked to be on course for a point before unravelling in the final 25 minutes.
It began as they went down to 10 players in the 70th minute. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Bertrand Traore curled home a beautiful winner for Aston Villa after latching onto Wilfried Ndidi’s slack pass.
Leicester thought they had won a penalty in injury time too as Ollie Watkins was penalised for handball. But the spot kick was correctly overturned after the Villa striker was fouled by Patson Daka, adding to the Foxes misfortune.
It was the in-form Watkins – making his 100th Aston Villa appearance – who saw the visitors ahead in the first half as he rolled home his sixth successive away goal in the Premier League.
Leicester reacted well to going behind too with some individual brilliance from Harvey Barnes seeing the Foxes level. But a lack of concentration cost them once again after a last-gasp winner from Crystal Palace on Saturday also saw them to a 2-1 defeat that ultimately cost Rodgers his job.
The result sees Leicester slip into 19th place, now two points from safety with nine Premier League games to play. Aston Villa – who are now unbeaten in six league matches – move up to seventh place and remain in the hunt for a European spot next season.
How Aston Villa snatched a late victory
Leicester had the better early chances, and should have gone ahead in the 19th minute. James Maddison’s deep corner found a completely unmarked Harry Souttar towards the back post, but his free header hit the woodwork before going out of play.
Five minutes later and Aston Villa went ahead with their first shot on target. It was a sumptuous pass from Emiliano Buendia for Watkins – the former also making his 100th appearance for the club – who easily ran in behind the Leicester centre-backs. He then coolly rolled the ball home, with a VAR check for offside soon confirming the goal.
Leicester hit back in superb style. It was a sublime ball over the top from Wout Faes that picked out Barnes’ run down the left. He zoomed past Ashley Young before slamming home the equaliser.
The second half largely lacked the zip and excitement of the first, but there were openings for both sides. However, the match turned on its head with 20 minutes to play as Leicester went down to 10 players.
Harvey Barnes scores Leicester’s equaliser against Aston Villa
It was a late challenge from Dewsbury-Hall on Young that saw him pick up a red card for a second yellow – just moments before he was due to be substituted.
With the extra player advantage, Aston Villa probed for a winner – which finally arrived in the 87th minute. It was of Leicester’s own making too as Ndidi’s poor pass from the back allowed Traore to curl a stunning strike past Iversen, having only come on as a substitute two minutes before.
There was a glimmer of hope for a late Leicester equaliser too as they were awarded a penalty in a frantic final few minutes. Watkins was penalised for handball and shown a yellow card, but VAR intervened. After consulting the pitchside monitor, referee Graham Scott overturned the decision and rescinded the booking, with Watkins having been barged over by Daka in the melee.
It was another blow for a side in desperate need for things to fall their way, with Leicester now having nine more games to save themselves from Premier League relegation.
FPL stats – Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa
Opta stats – Villa racking up the points
- Since the weekend of Unai Emery’s first game in charge (November 5/6), only Arsenal (41) and Manchester City (35) have earned more points in the Premier League than Aston Villa (32).
- Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall received the first red card of his senior club career, in what was his 137th appearance.
- Leicester’s Harvey Barnes scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season – it’s the first time he has reached double figures in a single campaign in the competition.
What’s next?
Leicester face a crucial clash against relegation rivals Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest, also on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Leicester’s remaining fixtures
April 8: Bournemouth (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 15: Man City (A) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
April 22: Wolves (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 25: Leeds (H) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm
May 1: Everton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 8: Fulham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Liverpool (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Newcastle (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: West Ham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
Aston Villa’s remaining fixtures
April 4: Leicester (A) – Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm
April 8: Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 15: Newcastle (H) – Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
April 22: Brentford (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 25: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm
April 30: Man Utd (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
May 6: Wolves (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Tottenham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Liverpool (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Brighton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
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