Image Source : AP Leicester’s Harvey Barnes, proper, celebrates with Leicester’s Youri Tielemans after scoring his sides second objective in the course of the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Feb. 21
Leicester strengthened its place within the Premier League’s high 4 with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa due to early targets by James Maddison and Harvey Barnes on Sunday.
Villa was with out Jack Grealish due to damage and made a gradual begin with out its inspirational captain, going 2-0 down by the twenty third minute at Villa Park.
Barnes laid the ball off to Maddison, who slotted a shot into the underside nook from the sting of the world within the nineteenth.
The winger then scored himself, forcing dwelling a rebound excessive into the online after Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez might solely palm away a fierce effort from Jamie Vardy.
“Harvey seems like he’s going to attain in each recreation, he was sensational at present,” Leicester supervisor Brendan Rodgers mentioned of the left winger, who has netted seven targets in his final 14 video games in all competitions.
Bertrand Traore gave Villa hope by pulling a objective again within the forty eighth from shut vary after John McGinn helped on a cross by Matt Targett, however Leicester held on to maneuver above Manchester United into second place. United performs Newcastle later Sunday.
Leicester, which is six factors away from fifth-place Chelsea, hasn’t performed within the Champions League for the reason that 2016-17 season — the season after profitable the Premier League in inconceivable style.
One detrimental for Leicester was the sight of Maddison strolling off gingerly halfway by means of the second half, having earlier complained of each foot and hip accidents after a heavy however truthful sort out by Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
“James had an issue with his hip last season so we’ll assess that,” Rodgers said. “He felt some pain, so as a precaution we took him off.”
Villa has gained simply considered one of its final 4 video games and has dropped seven factors off the European positions, albeit with two video games in hand over most of its rivals.
The lack of Grealish is a giant blow and Villa supervisor Dean Smith was guarded concerning the actual nature of the damage the midfielder picked up in coaching. Local media reported Grealish has shin splints.
“We don’t believe it’s a long-term injury,” Smith mentioned earlier than kickoff. “We’re just going to assess him as he goes.”
Targett advised the absence of Grealish had a psychological affect on each groups.
“When they see there’s no Jack Grealish, it gives everyone in their team a lift,” he said. “He’s the best player in our squad, there’s no hiding from that.”
