Brendan Rodgers has quietened talk of his side playing Champions League football next season after Leicester’s brilliant form continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes’ strikes in the first half lifted the Foxes up to second in the Premier League, ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle later in the day.
AFP
Bertrand Traore pulled a goal back to ensure Leicester had to work for the points after outclassing Villa before the break.
The victory means the Foxes have lost just once in their last 12 league games and sit three points above United ahead of their clash with against the Magpies at Old Trafford.
However, Rodgers played down his side’s chances of returning to Europe’s premier competition due to the amount of matches left to play this term.
“My ambition was to get European football for the club and see if we could disrupt the market,” he said.
“Everyone knows what Champions League football brings to a club – but also a city – but I tend to not think about it so much. Especially when we are so far out.
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“It was an outstanding team performance in the first half. Our football was exceptional and we scored two very good goals.
“After midweek travel and a European game, the players really have to show their spirit and quality. I was so pleased and very proud of the team.”
Victory was tempered after Maddison was forced off with a hip problem in the second half.
“He had this issue last season and felt it in the game and we had to take him off as a precaution,” added Rodgers, with the midfielder now a doubt for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second-leg clash with Slavia Prague.
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