Aston Villa vs Leicester City Post-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Sounds like Okore is starting to cement his place in the team.

Okore will make us forget about Vlaar's likely departure in January quite quickly. He's doing so very well now. Delighted for him.

I think you could be right
I was unsure of him to be fair, due to not seeing much of him and the expectation building around Him
But he's hardly put a foot wrong so far

He really is lovely to watch at times in how times his runs and addresses his angles to deny the forward space. He's a very intelligent young player.

[Clampy]

Thought we did well in the end considering we lost two of our center midfielders and it would have been more comfortable if that pesky Kasper hadn't been annoyingly good. Special mention for Sanchez for doing his best to hold the depleted midfield together. Also a mention for the linesman on the Trinity Road side who didn't seem to know what he was doing.

[PeterWithesShin]

Match report from the OS

Alan Hutton grabbed his first Villa goal as Paul Lambert's men recorded their second win in a week and extended their unbeaten sequence to five matches.

The Scottish full-back crowned a fine performance, which earned him the sponsors' man-of-the-match award, by driving home a 71st-minute winner after Ciaran Clark had cancelled out Leonardo Ulloa's early goal for the bottom-of-the-table Foxes.

It was a hurly-burly, all-action contest, although it was marred by some wild challenges.

Ashley Westwood was carried off on a stretcher after a dreadful challenge by Jamie Vardy, while Leicester finished the match with 10 men after Paul Konchesky was sent off.

Ulloa's 13th-minute goal was all the more galling because Villa had dominated until then, creating some good openings.

With less than two minutes on the clock, Aly Cissokho's menacing low cross was only just too far ahead of Christian Benteke, who would surely have scored had he not been distracted by a Leicester defender.

It was a similar story on 10 minutes, when another fine Cissokho delivery was just beyond Gabby Agbonlahor's reach, and a couple of minutes later Benteke was unlucky with a fine cross shot which flew narrowly beyond the far post.

But just as Villa were building up some momentum, they had the wind taken out of their sails by a gift opening goal.

Riyad Mahrez worked his way into a good position for a low left-foot shot which Brad Guzan was unable to hold, leaving Ulloa the simple task of tapping in from a couple of yards.

Thankfully it took Lambert's men only four minutes to find an equaliser.

Westwood floated a teasing free-kick into the goalmouth and Clark dived in to send an intelligently-flicked header past Kasper Schmeichel and into the roof of the net.

As Villa continued to press forward, Agbonlahor was unfortunate to see a well-struck drive charged down just inside the penalty area, although the visitors also produced a couple of decent efforts, Guzan holding Ulloa's low shot before Jeff Schlupp fired just wide.

Benteke was close again when his 39th-minute drive hit Liam Moore and looped over for a corner but Villa were forced to make a change just before the interval , sending on Kieran Richardson after Westwood had be scythed down by Vardy's late tackle.

Westwood was carried off on a stretcher, with Vardy fortunate to escape with only a yellow card.

Villa started the second period in even more forceful fashion that they had the first.

Tom Cleverley was only just off target with a rising angled shot before Agbonlahor's low cross was hacked clear as Richardson moved in for the kill.

And when Richardson's slide-rule pass sent Benteke clear in the 53rd minute, it was only the striker's momentary hesitation that let him down, Schmeichel racing out to deflect his shot for a corner.

The Foxes still posed a threat on the break, however, and on 68 minutes Guzan made the save of the match, leaping to tip the ball over at full stretch after sub Chris Wood had unleashed a 20-yard volley that was heading for the top corner.

That was a huge relief, but three minutes later Villa were in front.

Benteke spotted Hutton unmarked beyond the far post and picked out the full-back with a magnificent crossfield pass.

Hutton's control was equally good, and he composed himself before drilling a low right-foot shot inside Schmeichel's near post.

Benteke almost added another with a firm header from a cross by sub Jack Grealish, only for Schmeichel to brilliantly tip it away for a corner, while Grealish had a shot blocked following Agbonlahor's strong run and cross.

In the meantime, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Konchesky hacked down Hutton and then accused the defender of over-reacting to the challenge.

[olaftab]

What was the attendance?

27,692

What was the Parma attendance?

Parma played today and got beat at home by Lazio. I am not aware of attendance
Anyway with Leicester turning out in force 27K means probably less home fans in the ground than v Southampton.

[PeterWithesShin]

Force? They had loads of empty seats. I know they are shit and it's live on TV but surprised more of them didn't travel considering how close it is.

[tomd2103]

Thought we did well in the end considering we lost two of our center midfielders and it would have been more comfortable if that pesky Kasper hadn't been annoyingly good. Special mention for Sanchez for doing his best to hold the depleted midfield together. Also a mention for the linesman on the Trinity Road side who didn't seem to know what he was doing.

Only real complaint is that we didn't have the game wrapped up and had to go through another tense final few minutes.  Thought Clark and Okore both did well and the former is full of confidence at the moment.  Sanchez was a lot better on the ball and I thought Bacuna did alright when he came on.  The only real disappointment was N'Zogbia who offered very little.

[olaftab]

Force? They had loads of empty seats. I know they are shit and it's live on TV but surprised more of them didn't travel considering how close it is.

They had twice as many as Saints.

[CJ]

Leicester are the worst team I've seen so far this season but a win, three points and a goal at the Holte End is all that matters, and but for Scmeichel it would have been a more convincing scoreline. Having said that Brad pulled off a superb save to keep them out. Hutton's return from the bomb squad thoroughly vindicated, and begs the question why he was there in the first place. Impressed with Okore and Clark today; N'zogbia continues to frustrate and should have been taken off earlier as he was in danger of getting sent off; and a bit of humble pie for me - I criticised Sanchez the other week but thought he was superb today - the only player who really moved into space at every opportunity. Hope Westwood's injury isn't too serious but to be brutally honest I don't think we missed him that much.

[PeterWithesShin]

Force? They had loads of empty seats. I know they are shit and it's live on TV but surprised more of them didn't travel considering how close it is.

They had twice as many as Saints.

A 1000 more tops, and the attendance was over 2K higher.

[olaftab]

A 1000 more tops, and the attendance was over 2K higher.

You sure you dire state of health has not affected your judgement?

[Legion]

Excellent performances today from Clark, Hutton and Okore. Disgraceful challenge on Westwood. Hutton was perhaps a little lucky to stay on but will reserve passing judgement until I see the replay later. Benteke was unlucky not to score. Guzan redeemed himself for his clanger with that excellent second-half save. Schmeichel was the outstanding player for me today.

Thanks to the group sitting behind me who knocked a whole bottle of coke over my Programme Bag. I only had one because Fred wanted the matchday prog and I then got the 140 years book for an extra £2. It seems to have survived and they were very apologetic about the incident. I think they relocated for the second half.

[CJ]

Thanks to the group sitting behind me who knocked a whole bottle of coke over my Programme Bag. I only had one because Fred wanted the matchday prog and I then got the 140 years book for an extra £2. It seems to have survived and they were very apologetic about the incident. I think they relocated for the second half.

Unusual for something untoward to happen to you Leeg 

[ciggiesnbeer]

Much better. Really pleased to see the ref take the brave decision of sending of the Leicester player who very deliberately was trying to get Hutton to react, I wonder if he was close enough to hear what was said?

On the whole I thought we tried to attack the whole match. There is just a lack of crispness/quality in midfield. Hopefully it can build as they get more and more confidence.

[silhillvilla]

Just home from the match and delighted with the win. Thought we made hard work of it and it should really have been 4 or 5. Still we won that's the main thing.
Big games from Hutton and Cleverley and again Clark and Okore were excellent . Grealish again very lively when he came on. Nice to see dion Dublin at HT plugging his new cd ! (Charity)
Another low crowd circa 27k , but I think fans will gradually return if the form and results keep picking up.
We need to consolidate this with a win at WBA now.
Any word on Westwood ?

[Witton Warrior]

Haven't enjoyed as much since the first half against Hull.

Post-match interview with Lambo he said "we have been trying something new in training and it's working" - that will be width then Paul?

Our most creative player is still Benteke - pity he can't pass to himself.
Excellent run from Gabby for the winner
Some good individual cameos today (Okore, Clark, Sanchez, Gabby, Grealish)
Top mention to the bomb-squad hero that is Alan Hutton - true professional - if we get a wide player for him to pass forward to we will be dangerous!

Had a boisterous and excited 6-year old lad sat behind me today. He was wide-eyed and in awe of VP loving every second - chatting to all around - there is another generation out there just waiting to follow the Villa if they give them something to cheer