Aston Villa returned to winning ways in the Premier League as they held on to secure a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Having failed to win their opening two matches, Leicester came into the weekend determined to find their feet and get up and running in the top flight, following their promotion from the Championship last term.
Steve Cooper's men had kicked off the new campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on August 19, but failed to build on that result as they suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Fulham five days later.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa set out in hopes of returning to winning ways after their 2-1 opening-day victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on August 17 was followed by a 2-0 home loss against Arsenal one week later.
Unai Emery's men drew first blood in the 28th minute courtesy of Amadou Onana's second goal of the campaign before Jhon Duran came off the bench to also double his tally for the season and give the visitors some breathing space.
However, Leicester fought their way back into the game, with substitute Facundo Buonanotte powering his shot past Emiliano Martinez from close range in the 73rd minute to hand the Foxes a late lifeline.
Cooper's side pushed for a late equaliser but Villa held firm against their Midlands rivals to secure all three points and record back-to-back wins away from home to start the campaign
LEICESTER VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
Onana goal vs. Leicester (28th min, Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa)
Onana found himself on the end of a well-worked free kick drill and the Belgian midfielder fired his shot past Mads Hermansen between the sticks for the Foxes to put the Villans in front.
Duran goal vs. Leicester (63rd min, Leicester 0-2 Aston Villa)
Lucas Digne whipped in a brilliant cross into the box and Duran, who had only just come on for England international Ollie Watkins two minutes earlier, rose highest to head home his second of the season.
Buonanotte goal vs. Aston Villa (73rd min, Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa)
Wilfred Ndidi set up Buonanotte in the Aston Villa box and the Brighton loanee drilled home a fierce volley to register his first goal for Cooper's men.
MAN OF THE MATCH - AMADOU ONANA (ASTON VILLA)
© Imago
Onana continued his sensational start to life at Aston Villa as he netted his second goal of the campaign following a free-kick drill involving fellow countryman Youri Tielemans and 23-year-old Jacob Ramsey.
The Belgium international, who completed a move from Everton in the just-concluded summer transfer window, has now equalled his goal total from last season (2) and is already proving to be a pivotal part of Emery's structure.
While he was forced off in the 62nd minute, coming off for former Chelsea man Ross Barkley, Onana completed 20 of his 22 passes at the King Power Stadium and finished with a 100% dribbling success ratio.
LEICESTER CITY VS ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester City 57%-43% Aston Villa
Shots: Leicester City 9-10 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Leicester City 3-5 Aston Villa
Corners: Leicester City 1-4 Aston Villa
Fouls: Leicester City 13-21 Aston Villa
BEST STATS
Aston Villa were made to work for the three points, but they've earned a hard-fought win at Leicester to bounce back after last week's defeat to Arsenal #AVLLEI pic.twitter.com/o69VTpXxFk
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) August 31, 2024
FT: Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 31, 2024
Villa are now unbeaten in their last four league games at the King Power (W3 D1). #LEIAVL pic.twitter.com/nkcVIaRyMp
WHAT NEXT?
Leicester City go into the international break having picked up just one point from a possible nine and will be looking to get their season up and running when they return to action on September 14 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Villans, on the other hand, take on Everton at Villa Park on September 14, three days before their highly-anticipated Champions League opener against Swiss outfit Young Boys.
Joshua Ojele
