- Leicester City were dominant in the second half against Aston Villa, according to manager Brendan Rodgers
- The Foxes fell behind on Filbert Way but earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s effort
- City face Villa in the second leg on Tuesday 28 January at Villa Park (7:45pm GMT kick-off)
The Foxes were held to a 1-1 draw at King Power Stadium in the first leg, as Kelechi Iheanacho cancelled out Frédéric Guilbert’s opening strike.
While frustrated not to win on Filbert Way, Rodgers provided a positive assessment of his side’s play against Dean Smith’s outfit.
“I thought we played well,” Rodgers told LCFC TV. “In the first half, we were too slow both in attack and when we pressed the game. We were too passive.
“They didn’t have too many opportunities. The one that they scored, we’re disappointed with. We should defend that much better.
“I thought, first half, even though we had a couple of chances, we weren’t aggressive enough both with the ball and without the ball.
“We bring Hamza [Choudhury] into the game and I thought he was sensational when he came in – pressing, playing it – and I thought he was very, very good.
“From that, in the second half, we were really dominant. The ‘keeper (Ørjan Nyland) has made some great saves, they’ve got some great blocks in, Aston Villa, so you have to give them credit.
“Overall, we deserved to win the game, but didn’t and like I say, we showed great mentality to come back after going behind.”
Rodgers introduced Hamza Choudhury and Iheanacho in the second half, and both substitutes played a role in the equaliser against Villa.
“I felt we needed that aggression in the team,” added Rodgers. “Wilf [Ndidi] coming out, I thought there was going to be a more football game, that the player in that position will get a lot of the ball, but we didn’t use it well enough and fast enough.
“Then, we didn’t break any of their pressure well enough, but Hamza came into the game, Kelechi comes in and I know what I get from him. He’s so strong, so powerful and he gives us great opportunities to build the game and link the game.
“You see his goal, he’s got great confidence now, whether he starts or comes into the game. I thought Marc Albrighton, when he came on, was aggressive, as well, playing at a high tempo, and it was much better.”