What Maatsen told Bailey before Aston Villa winner as Dutch following serenades game changer
Aston Villa earned their ninth league win of the season by beating Leicester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
Far from their best, Villa went ahead through Ross Barkley just before the hour mark, but were pegged back when Stephy Mavididi equalised shortly after. The winger put the ball through Matty Cash and Emi Martinez's legs after the latter's fine save to deny Jamie Vardy from close range.
But Leon Bailey was on hand to score his first goal of the campaign, restoring Villa's lead in the 76th minute by converting Ian Maatsen's cross from the left side. The left-back came into the game just seconds after winning the ball back in the final third and assisting Bailey.
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Here are the talking points from Villa's win over Leicester...
Unbeaten in 10 league games at Villa Park
Villa have now gone 10 consecutive Premier League games without defeat at Villa Park, since a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in their opening game home game of 2024-25. Only Arsenal (12) are currently enjoying a longer unbeaten home run in the competition.
Two points were dropped against Brighton last Monday when Tariq Lamptey struck late on to deny Emery's side a fourth successive home win. But there's no doubt that Villa have built a strong foundation on home turf.
Although they've played more games than most at home, at the time of writing, not other side in the division have currently won more points at home than Villa (22).
"We have to be proud of how we are doing the way with difficulties," Emery told BBC Match of the Day after full-time. "The difficulties today were Leicester were performing well and it is difficult to beat them.
"Second half we were getting better, creating chances, not very clear but enough to score the two goals like we did. The match with those three points is fantastic for us. We are starting the second half of the season winning here at home and feel the confidence again.
"Those three points today are very important. We keep trying to get stronger. Our challenge now is to play two away matches in a row against Everton and Arsenal."
Emery's right, Villa's challenge is to now find consistency on the road. Only seven sides in the division have collected fewer points than Villa (10) in away games this term.
Ross Barkley's key involvements
Such are the standards which Villa have set under Emery, drawing games against sides who finished below Villa last season can feel like defeats, especially when Bournemouth equalise in the sixth minute of added time and struggling Crystal Palace score twice at the Holte End.
Barkley scored in both of those draws and after Bailey's first of the season ensured that Villa would claim victory on Saturday, the midfielder's three league goals have essentially been worth five points.
Barkley's deflected strike against RB Leipzig was worth two extra points for Villa in the Champions League too. His opener against Leicester was his first Premier League goal from outside the box since October 2020, with that goal also coming against the Foxes.
"Leicester were well organised and they look a lot better of a side now, the manager has them well drilled but I am happy our team has come away with the three points," Barkley said after full-time.
"It is just about being ready, we have some players in top form so it is hard for the manager to leave some players out and I understand that. It is just about being ready and getting consistent minutes behind me.
"We created some great chances at the end. The goals will come for Ollie Watkins. We will always create chances just in this second half of the season we need to be more ruthless in front of goal."
Asked about his goal celebration, Barkley said: "A week ago I had my first child so I said I would do that if I scored, I am happy I was able to do that."
Ian Maatsen, Villa's game changer
Bailey was the match-winner, but without Maatsen's instant impact off the bench, Villa might well have been held to a draw. The left-back always brings energy and attacking intent on the flank when he is introduced.
He has a big task to start ahead of Lucas Digne in Emery's team because the France international has been one of the club's most consistent players since the start of last season. But it is evident how Maatsen can positively affect the game in the final third.
Villa lack pace in their team and are trying to add more of it by pursuing Donyell Malen. His compatriot and former Borussia Dortmund teammate Maatsen would love to see him turn up to Bodymoor Heath this month.
There was a group of Dutch supporters in the upper North Stand on Saturday who serenaded Maatsen when he was doing his warm-down after full-time. 'Ian Maatsen, du du du du' was heard from the group, to which the Villa defender gave a wave back before going through some sprints alongside Emi Buendia and the unused substitutes.
Leon Bailey's springboard
Bailey frustrated in the first half, which was a real shame considering he showed quality and positivity against Brighton earlier in the week. In fact, he completed nine dribbles, created three chances and had seven shots against the Seagulls, becoming the first player to produce those numbers in a Premier League match since Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal vs Burnley 10 years ago.
Now, after finally getting his first goal of the season, this can be a a turning point for Bailey. It will feel like a huge weight off his shoulders, and after bagging Villa's second against Leicester he then rattled the bar having raced in behind the opposition backline.
"Funnily enough he [Maatsen] told me I was going to score today and he was the one who assisted me," Bailey said on Match of the Day. "I definitely needed that goal, so I'm grateful to get off the mark and hopefully in 2025 things can change and we can get more points."
