John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as three earn 8s in 2-1 win over Leicester City
Aston Villa have started 2025 with their fourth win in five home matches as Unai Emery’s side defeated Leicester City 2-1 at Villa Park.
Ross Barkley opened the scoring just before the hour mark by firing past goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk from the edge of the box, before Stephy Mavididi levelled shortly after. Leon Bailey then bagged his first goal of the season to win the game.
After completing their first league double over Leicester since 2004, Villa have extended their unbeaten home run to 10 games. They only managed one shot on target in the first half, which came from Matty Cash in added time. The right-back also made the first chance of the match as his cross was met by Ollie Watkins, but his effort was blocked.
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John McGinn was replaced by Jacob Ramsey in the 19th minute after appearing to tweak his hamstring. Villa were already without Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene through injury, while Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran were serving suspensions.
Barkley was arguably Villa’s best player before he then broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. Ramsey’s cross was initially cleared by Jannik Vestergaard, but the ball fell to Barkley, who managed to drill it beyond a helpless Stolarczyk.
Mavididi equalised by finishing at the back post following a fine save from Emi Martinez to deny Jamie Vardy. Emery introduced Emi Buendia and Ian Maatsen in the 76th minute and the latter made an instant impact by winning the ball back and rolling it across the face of goal for Bailey to put Villa back in front.
Villa are next in action on Friday night when they entertain West Ham in the FA Cup third round. Emery's side will play away league matches against Everton and Arsenal the following week.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez didn't face a single shot in the first half. After making a fine stop to deny Vardy, Mavididi scored Leicester's equaliser. 6
Matty Cash
Cash returned to the starting XI after missing the draw with Brighton through suspension after collecting his fifth booking in the defeat at Newcastle on Boxing Day. He made Villa's first chance of the game by pulling the ball across the box for Watkins, but the striker's effort was blocked. Defended excellently in the final 10 minutes. 8
Ezri Konsa
Konsa moved back to centre-back after playing from right-back against Brighton. It was a comfortable game for him and he managed to atone for a poor pass in the 57th minute by putting in a strong tackle on Mavididi. 6
Tyrone Mings
Following Pau Torres' long-term injury blow, Mings will be in the starting XI for the foreseeable future. He defended well and kept a lid on Jamie Vardy. 7
Lucas Digne
Digne was an outlet down the right all afternoon, but Villa didn't progress the ball quickly enough to get the most from the left-back in those threatening areas of the pitch. 7
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara got about the pitch well and helped break up play, especially after Villa went 2-1 ahead. Simply a crucial element of Emery's side. 7
Ross Barkley
Barkley returned to the starting XI for a league match for the first time since Villa's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace back in November. He saw a shot from the edge of the box deflect over the bar early early in the second half before scoring his fourth of the season in all competitions. Continues to impress. 8*
Leon Bailey
Bailey started successive league games for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury last month. He looked confident against Brighton, but frustrated in the first half against Leicester. It will be a huge weight off his shoulders to have scored his first of the season by converting Maatsen's cross. Hopefully a springboard for more consistent displays. 7
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans operated in a more advanced role as Barkley came into the double pivot alongside Kamara. Leicester often crowded the Belgian out when he received the ball in an advanced area. 6
John McGinn
McGinn started off the left today, but only lasted 20 minutes after suffering what looked like a hamstring strain. N/A
Ollie Watkins
Watkins had very little service in the first half and was out of the game apart from when Cash drilled a ball across the box. He gave the ball away which led to Leicester's goal before passing up on a big chance to make it 3-1. Despite that, he didn't stop working hard for the team and made a great chance for Buendia late on, but the Argentinian didn't take it. 6
SUBS
Jacob Ramsey (for McGinn, 20'): Ramsey started to have some joy down the left in the final 10 minutes of the first half. He looked bright when he took the ball, but Leicester defended well to their credit. 6
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 76'): Instant impact! The left-back's first action was to win the ball back in the final third and assist Bailey. 8
Emi Buendia (for Barkley, 76'): Buendia's energy helped Villa in the final 10 minutes of the match. He missed a big chance late on. 7
Subs not used: Olsen, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Swinkels, Onana, Jimoh-Aloba.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Barkley (58'), Bailey (76')
Leicester City: Mavididi (64')
