BARNES STORMING DISPLAY BY FOXES AS VILLA ARE PUT TO THE SWORD
ANY three of London’s biggest sides could have had Brendan Rodgers as manager by now, but they went for more exotic options instead. They’re paying a price. Jose Mourinho’s Spurs sink into an ever-deepening pit. Chelsea are still to ignite under Thomas Tuchel. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal flatline. And Leicester sail on towards a Champions League place, continuing to do more than any other side to keep the semblance of a title race alive. It helped that Villa were hopelessly lost without Jack
Grealish, missing a Premier League match here for the first time since November 2019. They looked doomed to defeat even before two goals in the space of four minutes put the Foxes 2-0 up inside 30 minutes. But this is not a story of one man’s absence.
Leicester were masters of their own destiny; overwhelming Villa’s midfield and exchanging the ball on pure instinct in the final third. Confidence, mutual understanding, speed on the ball, intense pressing and a plan: this is what the former Celtic boss brings. James Maddison departed with a sore hip on the hour mark but not before bending a superb shot around Tyrone Mings and past the outstretched left hand of Emiliano Martinez. That’s seven goals and five assists in the last 14 games. The rapid development of Harvey
Barnes is also part of Rodgers’ recent influence. The results are visible in a player running at defenders in an old-fashioned way. The backheel flick of a ball over his head which sent him into a run down the left in the second half was exquisite. Ahmed Elmohamady was booked for his attempts to stop him. And, like Maddison, Barnes is bringing goals in a way which reduces the dependency on Jamie Vardy. He still had work to do after Martinez spilled a Vardy shot at his feet but pounced to
score Leicester’s second with very little goal to aim at. it's a delight to see him because when he’s in full flow there’s not many better — so direct and fast,’ Rodgers said of Barnes. 'And he’s only going to get better. It's a joy to watch. That’s why we're here as coaches — to maxiimise their talents.’ For Dean Smith, the first half pro\vided a grim sense of what a world without Grealish might look like. Ross Barkley’s heart did not look in it. Douglas Luiz was overwhelmed by Maddison. There was no service for Ollie Watkins, who missed the captain more than anyone. Villa also lacked the defensive intensity you require against this incisive strikeforce. Maddison should have been challenged before scoring. Elmohamady was slow to respond for the second. It was a rare poor afternoon from the usually immaculate Martinez. ‘Their big players turned up to play. Our big players didn’t,’ said Smith. ‘I gave them a rocket at half-time to get them lifted and be more aggressive.’
Some did show some resistance, including Matt Targett, who played a major part in the Villa goal, just after the break, which Bertrand Traore swept in. John McGinn put in a shift, as always. But while they pushed to the last, with a late Mings header angled wide, there was little real threat to Kasper Schmeichel. The coming weeks will test Leicester’s depth, with seven games in a month but Rodgers has a squad, a philosophy and an air of belief that suggests they are up to the task.