Leicester City strengthens top-4 spot in Premier League with 2-1 win vs Villa

Leicester strengthened its place within the Premier League’s high 4 with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa due to early targets by James Maddison and Harvey Barnes on Sunday.
Villa was with out Jack Grealish due to damage and made a gradual begin with out its inspirational captain, going 2-0 down by the twenty third minute at Villa Park.
Barnes laid the ball off to Maddison, who slotted a shot into the underside nook from the sting of the realm within the nineteenth.
The winger then scored himself, forcing residence a rebound excessive into the online after Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez may solely palm away a fierce effort from Jamie Vardy.
Bertrand Traore gave Villa hope by pulling a aim again within the forty eighth from shut vary after John McGinn helped on a cross by Matt Targett, however Leicester held on to maneuver above Manchester United into second place. United performs Newcastle later Sunday.
Leicester, which is six factors away from fifth-place Chelsea, hasn’t performed within the Champions League because the 2016-17 season — the season after profitable the Premier League in inconceivable style.
One detrimental for Leicester was the sight of Maddison strolling off gingerly halfway via the second half, having earlier complained of each foot and hip accidents after a heavy however truthful deal with by Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Villa has gained simply considered one of its final 4 video games and has dropped seven factors off the European positions, albeit with two video games in hand over most of its rivals.
The lack of Grealish is an enormous blow and Villa supervisor Dean Smith was guarded in regards to the precise nature of the damage the midfielder picked up in coaching. Local media reported Grealish has shin splints.
“We don’t believe it’s a long-term injury,” Smith mentioned earlier than kickoff. “We’re just going to assess him as he goes.”