Leicester and Aston Villa played out a dull goalless draw as Jamie Vardy’s Foxes return from injury ended in uninspiring fashion.
In a far from lively Midlands derby, both sides controlled parts of the King Power Stadium encounter but the lack of a cutting edge in the final third meant they had to settle for a goalless draw.
James Maddison went closest for Leicester in the first half when his free-kick from 30 yards fell just wide of Emiliano Martinez’s goal, while Villa substitute Emiliano Buendia curled wide late on in their best chance of the game.
For the hosts, Vardy’s return via a 70th-minute substitution was a positive, but the Foxes’ talisman was barely involved in the final exchanges of the game.
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side also avoided any injuries ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final clash with Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Thursday.
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For Steven Gerrard’s Villa, it was a fourth straight game without a goal from open play, with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins joining Buendia in failing to make the best of their good opportunities.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Up next for Leicester is the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Jose Mourinho’s Roma at the King Power Stadium on Thursday. Then the Foxes return to Premier League action on Sunday, May 1 at Tottenham; kick-off 2pm.
Next for Aston Villa is a match against their old boss Dean Smith, as his relegation-threatened Norwich side go to Villa Park next Saturday; kick-off 3pm.