We Allowed Villa Too Much Space, Says Rodgers
- Brendan Rodgers expresses his disappointment following Leicester City’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa
- The Foxes were edged in injury time after Ross Barkley fired in a late winner
- Rodgers praised debutant Wesley Fofana for his fine display at King Power Stadium
City’s fifth league outing of 2020/21 appeared to be heading for a stalemate, only for Ross Barkley to fire in a winning goal in injury time.
Rodgers was understandably disappointed at full-time after the Foxes were unable to find the net against Dean Smith’s outfit.
“There weren’t too many chances for both teams so yes, [we're] disappointed when you lose it so late,” he told LCFC TV. “They got into some good areas, like we did in the second half, but they're a good side.
“They've got good legs in their team and it looked like it was, however, going to be 0-0, but yes, disappointed with the goal, because we opened ourselves up too easily and it allowed that space, so we didn't get our lines correct.
“You're always disappointed when you lose games. You're never happy. But there's enough in that to show with the players we have missing, the guys that came into the team have done well tonight.
“Like I say, it could have been very easily a point and we moved on. But we need to learn to close that game out and if you can't win it, you try and make sure you don't lose it.”
Rodgers highlighted the performance of Premier League and City debutant Wesley Fofana, who for a 19-year-old making his bow in England looked assured at centre-back.
“He was outstanding,” Rodgers said. “For a 19-year-old to come into the Premier League against a good side, it was an outstanding performance.
“He's all the attributes, he's still got a bit to learn. He's still adapting to how we want to work and play. But you see his raw potential there, he's got a great leap, he's strong, quick, he defends on the front foot and he can pass the ball.
“So, he had a really good night.”