Foxes Claim A Point With A Clean Sheet At Villa
Leicester recorded their second point of the Barclays Women's Super League campaign, after four games played, with a 0-0 draw at Villa Park, as Belgium defender Sari Kees impressed on her league debut.
Following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on home soil, Amandine Miquel made three other changes to the side that travelled to Villa Park, with Courtney Nevin, Yuka Momiki and Shana Chossenotte all coming into the fold, while another Academy player in the form of Poppy Groves was on the bench.
Lining up in an altered 4-1-4-1 formation, it was Ruby Mace operating in an unorthodox centre-forward position in the absence of Noémie Mouchon and Jutta Rantala, but City found themselves on the back foot in the opening 10 minutes; Saori Takarada making a excellent last-ditch tackle to prevent the hosts from scoring.
Very little occurred over the next 20 minutes, with Leicester happy for Villa to hold the majority of possession, while they focused on retaining their shape and improving their stability at the back.
City were trying to find their fortune by playing long cross-field balls to wingers Missy Goodwin and Chossenotte but as the half-time whistle blew, there was nothing to separate the sides and very little chances falling to either team.
A swap at full-back came after the break with Asmita Ale getting her first WSL appearance of the season, since joining the Club on a permanent basis, before Deanne Rose was introduced not long after.
Leicester were starting to grow into the game, seeing more of the ball and trying to find a way through the Villa defence, coming closest when Sophie Howard lost her marker from a corner but failed to direct her header on target.
The Villans started to apply the pressure in the closing stages of the game, as they were also on the hunt for their first win of the league term, but City's defence managed to weather the storm and hang on for a positive point.
The Foxes now head home for one last game before the international break, when they welcome Everton to King Power Stadium next Sunday for a 3pm BST kick-off; tickets are available for purchase HERE.