Aston Villa returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with Unai Emery's side battling their way to a 2-1 home success over relegation-threatened Leicester City.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute of the contest at Villa Park, with Ross Barkley driving one into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Leicester had failed to properly clear their lines.
The Foxes were only behind for five minutes, though, with Stephy Mavididi turning into the back of the net from close range after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had kept out an effort from Jamie Vardy.
Villa regained the lead in the 76th minute, as Leon Bailey turned a cross from Ian Maatsen into the back of the net, and his effort proved to be the winner on the afternoon.
Emery's side sit eighth in the Premier League table, only four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while Leicester's 12th league defeat of the campaign has left them 19th, two points behind 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This was not a vintage performance from Villa, but the fact that they managed to grind out a win against a team battling for their lives at the bottom is testament to their development under Emery.
Leicester hit back just five minutes after conceding the opener, but poor defending from the Foxes contributed to them conceding a second, with Bailey's effort in the 76th minute proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Villa are in a top-four race this season, while Leicester are firmly locked in a relegation battle, with the Foxes remaining in 19th and boasting only three wins from their 20 Premier League matches this term.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's side have now been beaten in each of their last five league matches, with their last success in England's top flight coming at home to West Ham United at the start of December.
ASTON VILLA VS. LEICESTER HIGHLIGHTS
58th min: Aston Villa 1-0 Leicester (Ross Barkley)
Villa make the breakthrough in the 58th minute of the contest, as Barkley fires one into the bottom corner from outside the penalty box; it is a wonderful strike from the midfielder, who found himself in space in a dangerous position.
63rd min: Aston Villa 1-1 Leicester (Stephy Mavididi)
Leicester hit back at Villa Park, with Mavididi turning into the back of the net from close range after Villa goalkeeper Martinez had kept out an effort from Vardy - it has been an excellent response from the strugglers.
76th min: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester (Leon Bailey)
Villa regain the lead in this Premier League affair, and the goal comes from Bailey, who turns a cross from Maatsen into the back of the net; Leicester failed to clear their lines and have been made to pay here.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ROSS BARKLEY
© Imago
Barkley was the star of the show on Saturday afternoon, with the midfielder's wonderful effort from the edge of the box making the breakthrough, and he was brilliant for the hosts at Villa Park.
The 31-year-old had two shots in total, while he made three tackles and finished with a pass success rate of 98%, with Barkley undoubtedly a key contributor to his side collecting all three points against Leicester.
ASTON VILLA VS. LEICESTER MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 61%-39% Leicester
Shots: Aston Villa 13-4 Leicester
Shots on target: Aston Villa 5-2 Leicester
Corners: Aston Villa 6-2 Leicester
Fouls: Aston Villa 10-11 Leicester
BEST STAT
PL goals for Aston Villa:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 4, 2025
16 — Leon Bailey
15 — Jack Grealish pic.twitter.com/3adgoSz7xA
WHAT NEXT?
Both of these sides will now switch their attention to the third round of the FA Cup, with Villa welcoming league rivals West Ham United to Villa Park on January 10, while Leicester will be in action at home to Queens Park Rangers on January 11.
Villa's next Premier League match is away to Everton on January 15, while Leicester will be in league action on the same evening at home to Crystal Palace.
Matt Law
