Brendan Rodgers warned that his evolving side would not get anywhere without learning how to suffer. Aston Villa sure put them to the test here, as they defied the formbook and a spate of injuries to inflict serious hardship on Leicester. Frédéric Guilbert’s goal even looked like giving Villa a lead to take into the second leg in three weeks but Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench for an equaliser that leaves this Carabao Cup semi-final intriguingly poised.
This was a far tighter contest than expected and nothing like the Premier League encounter a month ago at Villa Park, where Leicester sashayed to a 4-1 victory. A repeat of that would have been no surprise given the wretched luck that has beset Villa during a spell when they have lost most of their spine to injury, including Tom Heaton, John McGinn and Wesley. Their lineup on Wednesday included no specialist striker, as Jonathan Kodjia was omitted from the squad after falling ill, according to Dean Smith.
Written by Paul Doyle at the King Power Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/08/leicester-aston-villa-carabao-cup-semi-final-first-leg-match-report under the title “Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho rescues draw in face of defiant Aston Villa”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
