Leicester City 1-2 Aston Villa
Post Match Analysis by Chris Griffin
Steve Cooper brought in summer signings Okoli and Skipp for Vestergaard and Buonanotte. Ayew came in for De Cordova Reid.
During the week Cooper spoke about the need for City to be more ruthless. That need still exists judging by this performance against a good Villa side. Stats only tell part of the story but at half time City were 1-0 down despite having comfortably the major share of possession (59%-42%). Villa had made six shots on target against City’s one – and that a not very threatening Ndidi daisy cutter from the edge of the penalty area which Martinez gathered easily.
Despite having less possession Villa could have been ahead by a larger lead at half time. City were suffering from self-inflicted wounds, often turning over possession in the central third of the pitch and being caught in transition.
One such turnover in the third minute led to Watkins racing into the area unchallenged. It took an excellent Hermansen save to avert the danger as he bravely dived at the feet of the striker and pushed the ball away. Minutes later Faes lost possession near the halfway line. Watkins was through and shot but Hermansen made another top save. Being caught in possession seemed contagious as even Hermansen allowed himself to be caught out by Watkins while dribbling the ball in his six-yard area. Luckily, the keeper recovered and regained possession.
Losing possession led to Villa’s opening goal. The ball went to Tielemans in midfield who was tackled from behind by Skipp outside the penalty area. Referee Coote awarded a free kick – a little harshly. Even so City were caught sleeping at the free kick. Tielemans threaded a pass into the area to the unmarked Ramsey out wide on the right. He quickly crossed and Onana was just one of several Villa players waiting for a tap in. Annoyingly City’s defenders had not marked their men and so gave a free hand to the attackers.
Villa could have extended the lead but again City had Hermansen to thank as he parried Tielemans’ fierce shot away for a corner.
Despite their dominance in possession City were making little impact. Once or twice Fatawu and Ndidi combined to put crosses in from the right. Fatawu had some good runs although some ended up with him going up a blind alley. City’s possession was mainly played back and across the halfway line. It was as if Maresca had not left. There were very few examples of the penetrating and threatening passes that Villa were making.
City showed more assertiveness in the second half. An Ayew cross was headed goalwards by Fatawu, but his effort lacked force and direction. Okoli came forward but drove his effort over the bar. The game was more stretched, and Villa still maintained a threat especially with long runs from deep by their full backs which were stretching City’s defence.
In the 58th minute City endured the frustration of a disallowed goal. Skipp made a strong run into the area and his excellent pull-back gave Vardy the chance to slide the ball into the net. All for nothing. Referee Coote had apparently stopped play because the ball had made contact with his body during the build-up to the chance.
At least City were trying to press forward more, and the passing of Winks in particular was more penetrating and searching than in the first half. Despite this Villa extended their lead. Having been on the back foot they secured a good period of possession resulting in left back Digne crossing towards substitute Duran who headed powerfully into the roof of the net. Hermansen had no chance, but it was disappointing. Okoli and Faes were both near the scorer but did not challenge him.
Cooper made changes and they altered the tone of the match. Mavididi replaced Ayew, new purchase El Khanouss replaced Skipp and Buonanotte replaced Fatawu. City carried much more threat, looked more lively going forward and exploited the pace the changes had brought. El Khanouss made an early positive impression, eager for the ball and making good use of it. At last a goal came. Kristiansen passed to Mavididi who skinned his marker in the penalty area and crossed. The ball fell to the unmarked Buonanotte who smashed it into the corner of the net.
City kept pressing. Where was this approach in the first half? The equaliser would not come but there were moments of controversy. Vardy was pulled down in the penalty area but the referee ruled the Konsa had played the ball first. Then Vardy again was brought down but this time the linesman flagged offside. At the final whistle many fans gave the City team a good ovation.
It is hard to fault the effort of the players but for the third consecutive game the start had been too cautious. I suspect most fans want to see us going out to win from the start, especially at home, and that the more attacking players should be in from the start to provide a cutting edge. Had we started as we finished, we’d have had a much better chance of gaining points.
Manager Cooper expressed frustration with the Skipp foul which led to the opening goal. But he retained some optimism: “We’ve seen more than enough in the three performances to feel like we’re going to be OK [in the Premier League]. We’re disappointed with the defeat, but if we stay as we are and improve in areas we want to, we’ll be all right.”
Leicester City: Hermansen; Faes; Okoli (McAteer 92’); Justin; Skipp (El Khanouss 68’); Winks; Ndidi (De Cordova Read 89’); Ayew (Mavididi 67’); Fatawu (Buonanotte 68’); Vardy.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Digne; Torres; Konsa; Bogarde (Nedeljkovic 55’); McGinn; Tielemans; Onana (Barkley 62’); Bailey (Ramsey 16’ Maatsen 79’); Watkins; Rogers (Duran 61’)
Referee: David Coote Attendance: 31,725
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation