Talking Heads: Rodgers, Smith, Pérez & Konsa Preview Sunday's Filbert Way Clash
- Aston Villa are the visitors to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Sunday (7:15pm kick-off)
- Both sides have gathered nine points from their opening fixtures in the new Premier League campaign
- Brendan Rodgers and Ayoze Pérez have spoken to the media over the past few days
- Dean Smith and Ezri Konsa have been on press duty for the Villans
City and Villa have accrued nine points so far in the Premier League and are separated by just goal difference in the early standings after a host of encouraging results for both sides.
Before the international break, the Foxes enjoyed victories over West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Manchester City, while Villa signed off with a stunning 7-2 triumph over Liverpool.
With all players now returned from duties with their countries, Dean Smith's men are set to visit Filbert Way - and key figures from both dressing rooms have been talking in the media...
Brendan Rodgers, speaking on Friday, said: "We’ve started the season very well, winning three out of four games. The performance level in the first three games was very high in different types of games. Different performances were needed and we were very good in the attacking side and, defensively, we’ve got areas that we can work on, but in the main, we’ve been very good. The West Ham game was another lesson for us in the Premier League, where if you’re not right on your level, which we were for the first three games, you can lose."
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith told the media: "We have to be very respectful of a team that’s gone to Manchester City and won 5-2. We won 7-2 against Liverpool, so there’s two teams there that are very good. We’ve been stung there a couple of times last season and we have to make sure we continue our level of performance on Sunday. We have to be at our best. The last time we played there we got beat 4-0 just before lockdown. We’ve started the season well, there’s confidence within the group and a belief that we’re better this season. It’s a tough game but one we’re looking forward to."
City's No.17, Ayoze Pérez, speaking to LCFC TV: "It's been almost two weeks until we've got Aston Villa, which is going to be another tough test for us. But we're thinking, well, we can learn, we can do better from our last game to keep getting the good results. We've still had a good start, nine out of 12, obviously we were looking for 12 out of 12, but we're looking forward to playing Aston Villa. They are doing well as well, so it will be a very tough game. Playing at home we need to make sure we are a strong side at home. "It's more about us, what we didn't do well against West Ham that we've got to do better against Aston Villa. It's more the way we prepare our game."
Speaking to avfc.co.uk, Villa defender Ezri Konsa said: "We’re definitely expecting a tough game against Leicester – it’s always tough against them. They’re a very good team. They lost their last game 3-0 and I’m sure they’ll want to come back and get a victory. I’ve matured a lot from last season. I learnt a lot during my first season in the Premier League. It was a great experience and a dream come true to play in the Premier League. That was a dream come true for me and my family. I’m still young, I’m still learning and hopefully I can only get better. What I need to do now is keep listening to the coaches, taking on advice from my teammates and keeping my head down."
All times BST.