Yahoo News John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after 2-1 win at Leicester as Tielemans, Bogarde and Duran shine
Aston Villa returned to winning ways by beating Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Amadou Onana opened the scoring in the 28th minute after finishing off a well-worked set-piece routine, before Jhon Duran came off the bench in the second half to double the lead. Facundo Buonanotte then brought the hosts back in the game shortly after, but Villa held on for their second victory of the season.
Only Manchester City and Arsenal have won more Premier League away games than the 16 Villa have since Unai Emery’s first away match in charge in November 2022. His side have also now won nine of their 10 league matches against promoted opposition, only dropping points in a 1-1 home draw versus Sheffield United in December 2023.
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They came into the game without Matty Cash, who picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend and Emery turned to Lamare Bogarde to play from the off. Villa started the better of the two sides and nearly went ahead inside the second minute when Youri Tielemans played Ollie Watkins in, but the striker couldn’t quite take the ball in his stride before Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen came off his line to deny him.
In the 21st minute, Watkins was played through once again after Morgan Rogers won the ball from Wout Faes. Hermansen made a smart stop to his left to thwart Watkins once more.
Villa deservedly took the lead after Watkins was fouled in the final third. Tielemans played a disguised pass to Jacob Ramsey - who came on for the injured Leon Bailey in the 16th minute - before the midfielder rolled the ball across the box for Onana to finish from close range.
Leicester only registered one shot on target in the first half, but should have levelled the game up before the break when Caleb Okoli was presented with a golden opportunity inside the box. The defender was left unmarked from a free-kick, but he failed to get a strong contact on the ball to beat Emi Martinez.
As has been the case in the first two games of the season, Duran replaced Watkins around the hour mark. Just like in the opening weekend victory over West Ham, Duran made a telling impact by bagging Villa’s second of the day. He turned in Lucas Digne’s cross with his head, leaving Hermansen with no chance.
Buonanotte gave Leicester hope of a comeback when he scored in the 73rd minute, but Villa did enough to win all three points before the September international break.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez was called into action for the first time at the end of the first half and made his first save just moments before additional time. There was nothing he could do to stop Buonanotte's strike. 8
Lamare Bogarde
Bogarde was handed his first Premier League start this afternoon and impressed in Villa's back four. The 20-year-old took no time to settle in the match and wasn't afraid to get physical with Jordan Ayew. He was booked in the second half for getting too tight to the former Villa man and had a harder time up against Stephy Mavididi. Bogarde also used the ball well and was often involved in build-up. 7
Ezri Konsa
Konsa had a solid performance, but like the rest of his teammates, he will be frustrated not to have kept hold of a clean sheet. 7
Pau Torres
Torres allowed Villa to take control of the game in different stages as he dictated play from deep. He and Digne know each other's game inside out and manage to build-up successfully down the left. 7
Lucas Digne
Digne didn't give Fatawu a sniff on the wing, even though the Leicester man is Leicester's main creative threat. It was another accomplished performance from the left-back. 8
Amadou Onana
Onana has now scored two goals in as many away games for Villa. Unsurprisingly both have come from set-pieces. His overall game was strong, but came off in the 61st minute after picking up a slight knock on the foot early in the second period. 8
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans was excellent in tight pockets and managed to wriggle out of challenges in the middle of the park. He played an excellent ball through to Watkins in the opening minutes and rolled it to Ramsey so he could assist Onana for the opener. After being booked in the 40th minute he was treading a tightrope in the second half. 8*
Leon Bailey
The winger came off early in the second half after picking up an injury. N/A
John McGinn
After Bailey's injury, McGinn swapped flanks to play on the right. His experience helped Bogarde through most of the match. The Scot was also booked in the second half when he fouled the lively Mavididi. 7
Morgan Rogers
Rogers' physicality was key against Leicester's powerful midfielders and defenders. He won fouls and blocked passing lanes. It was a strong all round performance. 7
Ollie Watkins
Watkins is still searching for his first goal of the season and had a couple of chances in the first half against Leicester. He was denied by an excellent save just minutes before Vila took the lead through Onana. 6
SUBSTITUTES
Jacob Ramsey (for Bailey, 13'): He played with confidence and picked up dangerous pockets. Ramsey's assist for Onana was perfect - the Belgian couldn't miss. 7
Jhon Duran (for Watkins, 61'): He didn't need long to make an impact! He's a serious talent. It was a cracking header to double Villa's lead. 8
Ross Barkley (for Onana, 61'): Barkley performed well when he came on, spraying passes across the pitch. Emery will be pleased with the midfielder's performance. 7
Ian Maatsen (for Ramsey, 79'): N/A
Kosta Nedeljkovic (for Bogarde, 79'): N/A
Subs not used: Gauci, Zych, Swinkels, Buendia.
GOALS
LEICESTER: Buonanotte (73')
ASTON VILLA: Onana (28'), Duran (64')
