Leicester’s lame recovery is a positive for Dean Smith’s side

Since their Semi-Final heartbreak against Aston Villa, Leicester have been unable to recover.

Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy

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Since the Foxes experienced heartbreak at the hands of Trézéguet at Villa Park in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final, they have been unable to resume their strong start of the season – a positive for Aston Villa who face them next Monday.

Two points from a possible twelve have come the way of Brendan Rodger’s side, and their mid-season lull had reared its head before Aston Villa had downed their hopes of the League Cup at the end of January.

Losses to Southampton and Burnley came before, and draws against Chelsea and Wolves paired with losses to Manchester City and Norwich City after the second leg of the Semi-Final.

As it stands, Leicester are limping towards the finish line after an emphatic start, and they are likely to recover before the conclusion of the Premier League season – but there is no better time for Aston Villa to play the side that they downed just over a month ago.

Against Manchester City, Aston Villa showcased the grit and determination that saw them beat Leicester over two legs, and with a higher standard of officiating or Claudio Bravo’s arm being an inch or two shorter, the B6 side could have quite easily found themselves with silverware as they returned to Premier League action.

As has been said on many an occasion this season, Aston Villa must take the positives from a loss and put them towards their next performance. This inherent lack of consistency in performances is likely to be the obvious downfall should the club find themselves relegated this season.

But Dean Smith’s men can take heart at a good performance at Wembley, and take confidence that they have already felled the Foxes once this season, and have drawn with them at the ground that they will be playing at again come Monday.

Nobody is exactly sure what Dean Smith said to his squad on the Wembley turf post-game, but fans are exceptionally hopeful that whatever was said, works.

We’ll have to see whether it does, starting Monday.