Football
Ross Barkley’s Stunner Helps Aston Villa Condemn Leicester To Their Fifth Consecutive Premier League Defeat
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
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Watch the Aston Villa vs Leicester highlights as goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey give Unai Emery’s side a 2-1 win at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Vs Leicester Report
Ross Barkley starred after his rasping effort helped Aston Villa edge out Leicester City 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The 31-year-old fired Unai Emery’s side into a deserved lead after 58 minutes. The Foxes failed to deal with an in-swinging cross and Barkley lashed home after a poor defensive header.
Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s side were soon back on level thanks to Stephy Mavididi’s equaliser. The 26-year-old tapped home from close range after Emi Martinez parried the original effort from Jamie Vardy.
Leon Bailey scored his first top-flight goal of the season after some brilliant play from Ian Maatsen. The latter had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds before he teed up the Jamaican star to tap home.
Boss Emery starts 2025 with a bang whereas Leicester’s miserable run continues. Van Nistelrooy suffered his fifth defeat in a row with the Foxes currently 19th. Villa occupy 8th spot.
That one felt gooood 👇 pic.twitter.com/8RQKTwyXPI
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025
Aston Villa Vs Leicester Highlights
Aston Villa’s win keeps their European hopes very much alive and kicking going into 2025. Unai Emery’s men are now just three points off fifth-placed Newcastle.
Ross Barkley’s strike was his third of the Premier League season. His drilled effort sent the Holte End into raptures as the Villa faithful celebrated their first goal of the new year.
Although their joy was short-lived when Stephy Mavididi temporarily levelled proceedings. The home side regained the lead thanks to Leon Bailey’s effort.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s bid to beat the drop took another blow as their bad run continues. Since beating West Ham on December 3, the Foxes have picked up just one point from their last six games.
According to the best football betting sites in the UK, the East Midlanders are now priced at 2/7 for an immediate return to the EFL Championship.