Aston Villa add to managerless Leicester’s woes with late winner

Leicester began life after Brendan Rodgers in similar fashion to how his reign ended as they slipped to a late 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace by the same scoreline – beaten by an injury-time goal – was enough to convince chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha that he had to part with Rodgers in order to avoid the drop.

It looked like the change was going to have a positive effect as the Foxes were heading for a credible draw after Harvey Barnes’ sublime goal cancelled out Ollie Watkins’ opener.

But the game turned in the 70th minute as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off for two quick yellow cards and Bertrand Traore hit a fine goal of his own to earn Villa three three points and enhance their European hopes.

There was even more late drama as Leicester had a penalty overturned by VAR after Graham Scott had originally pointed to the spot in injury time.

The Foxes slumped to a seventh game without a win, which keeps them in the bottom three and in real danger of dropping into the Championship next season.

For Villa, a fifth win from six games gives them a real chance of qualifying for Europe as Unai Emery continues to surpass expectations.

And it was a special night for Watkins, who marked his 100th Premier League game with an eighth goal in 10 matches.

Leicester, under interim bosses Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler, were bright and positive in the opening 20 minutes, with Barnes testing Emiliano Martinez with a low shot before a big chance came their way in the 19th minute.

Harry Souttar was left unmarked at the far post from James Maddison’s corner, but his downward header bounced off the outside of a post.

But familiar defensive frailties remained and three minutes later Villa led with a