Barkley strike maintains surprise flawless start for Aston Villa

It all happened in a scrappy contest at the King Power stadium and the result left Aston Villa second on 12 points with a game in hand over leaders Everton who have 13.

"We take it one game at a time as always", he said.

The on-loan Chelsea midfielder's 25-yard strike was the one piece of quality in a pay-per-view game which was in danger of seeing viewers ask for their money back.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Villa - who have a game in hand - now sit second, having humiliated titleholders Liverpool 7-2 prior to the worldwide break. Boss Dean Smith named the same team which beat the Premier League champions but with talisman Jack Grealish somewhat subdued, Leicester's teenage debutant Wesley Fofana was able to coast through the game.

Barkley celebrated by running to the bench and hugging Villa's doctor Ricky Shamji and Smith explained: "The doc has looked after him the last week". "It was touch and go whether he started today".

Debutant Fofana

"He only trained on Saturday but he has done a lot of work with the doc so he's nursed him through 90-plus minutes and a victor". We will certainly try and stay on an even keel. "I've certainly thanked the doc as well".

Iheanacho was given the nod to lead Leicester attack following injury to first choice striker Jamie Vardy. Soyuncu is more serious, the muscle is right off the bone so he could be out for three months.

Rodgers was also frustrated his side could not hold out for a draw. "I dedicated that goal to the physio because I was 50-50 in the week and he did a really good job getting me right". "But, like Perez, he wasn't involved almost enough in the second half".

"You are disappointed to lose that because if you can't win it you don't want to lose and to lose it in that way was disappointing".