Aston Villa 2 Leicester 1: Gerrard and Co fight from goal down to leapfrog old boss Rodgers’ Foxes into Prem top ten
IT was billed as Master versus Pupil – and Steven Gerrard finished top of the class. But Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa claimed an ‘A’ grade with two goals in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate – to make sure Gerrard took the honours against Brendan Rodgers. Gerrard came face to face with his […]
IT was billed as Master versus Pupil – and Steven Gerrard finished top of the class.
But Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa claimed an ‘A’ grade with two goals in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate – to make sure Gerrard took the honours against Brendan Rodgers.
Gerrard came face to face with his former Liverpool at Villa Park.
The pair were close bringing the title to Anfield six years ago – and this was their first Premier League duel since those days.
They had twice been on opposing sides as managers of Rangers and Celtic – where honours had been even.
But it was Gerrard – a rookie boss at this level – who edged out the experienced Leicester boss as Villa staged an impressive comeback after going a goal down to Harvey Barnes’ 13th minute strike.
The game was not without controversy as Jacob Ramsey had a goal disallowed in first half stoppage time for kicking the ball out of Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel’s hand.
Ref Michael Oliver consulted the pitchside screen and ruled it out after a VAR check.
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But Villa stuck to their task to give Gerrard a third win from four games since taking over from Dean Smith.
Rodgers’ team had a youthful look to it as he dropped Jamie Vardy to the bench with Thursday’s key Europa League clash with Napoli in mind.
And despite the changes, it was Rodgers’ side who took command early on.
Leicester took the lead after 13 minutes, and a battling Patson Daka set it up when he won the ball 25 yards from goal.
He fed Barnes on the left and the Foxes wide man he simply passed the ball into the far corner.
But Villa were level just 170 seconds later.
Matty Cash headed the ball across the face of goal – and Emilano Buendia placed his header past Schmeichel as Konsa got the faintest of touches.
There was a VAR check for offside but the goal was awarded to Buendia – but later credited to Konsa.
It meant that, once again, Leicester had failed to keep a top flight clean sheet – they only have one to their name on the opening day of the season against Wolves.
It was end to end after that and a diving header from Dewsbury-Hall flew wide of the target.
Then Cash drilled a low ball in and Schmeichel saved with his feet.
At the other end, Ademola Lookman caused problems and set up James Maddison whose shot was charged down by Cash.
Cash seemed to be everywhere and was there once more to stop Barnes getting another shot in on goal
But then came the moment of controversy that had Villa fuming as boos rang around the stadium.
Cash was involved again as he headed Douglas Luiz’s lofted ball across the six yard box.
Schmeichel parried the ball and had one hand on it – but Ramsey went for it and poked it into the net from close range.
It would have been the 20-year-old’s second league goal but ref Michael Oliver ruled it out after checking a pitch side VAR screen.
But it seems the law is that the keeper need only have one hand on the ball.
Villa were left to shrug it off and Ollie Watkins found himself through on goal but saw his shot deflected for a corner after 53 minutes.
And when it was swung in to the far post, Konsa was on hand to squeeze his header in at the near post.
Again though, Kasper Schmeichel was slow to spot the danger and could only deflect the ball over the line – but Caglar Soyuncu hardly cut a commanding figure.
Only Crystal Palace have given away more goals at set pieces this season than Leicester – 10 – and again, it was their achilles heel.
But Konsa became the first Villa defender to score two goals in a Premier League game in more than 11 years – the last time that happened was in 2010 when Ciaran Clark did it against Arsenal.
Leicester hit back and Maddison whipped a 20 yard shot just wide.
But Rodgers could see the tide turning Villa’s wide and, with 26 minutes to go, he brought on Vardy for Lookman.
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Another slick Villa move almost ended with Watkins finding the net, but this time Schmeichel had it covered.
Villa continued to post the biggest threat but Ramsey blazed over when he had a chance to make up for his ruled out goal with 20 minutes left.
Barnes almost made him pay with a looping header the keeper Emi Martinez pushed out brilliantly.