Vardy needs to party at Wembley, says Rodgers

BRENDAN RODGERS has urged Jamie Vardy to crown his Leicester career with victory in a Wembley final — before it is too late.

Vardy is rated as 80 per cent fit by Rodgers after damaging a glute in the 4-1 win over West ham last week and he is expected to be involved in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Aston Villa, with the sides level at 1-1.

When Leicester won the title in 2016, Vardy and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, both 33, were key men but neither player has lifted a major trophy at Wembley.

‘The older you get the more you can think about it and how there may be fewer opportunities for you,’ Rodgers said.

‘We’ve got some senior players who have never played in a cup final before. Players’ careers are short so if they can get to finals and experience that, it’s progress.’

Villa boss Dean Smith has a decision to make up front — whether to stick with his false nine Anwar El Ghazi or give a debut to £10million Tanzania striker Ally Samatta, signed from Genk.

‘It’s a balancing act,’ admitted Smith. ‘The four games (without a striker) we’ve won two, drew one and lost to manchester City and the players have made a good fist of it.’ ASTON VILLA (3-4-2-1): Reina; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Targett; Trezeguet, Grealish; Samatta. LEICESTER (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi; Perez, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes; Vardy.

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