Aston Villa were denied a huge victory in their race for survival after Theo Walcott headed home with just three minutes of normal time remaining to secure a 1-1 draw for Everton.
At the other end of the table, Leicester City got their Champions League dreams back on track courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at the King Power Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti’s response to Sunday’s ‘unacceptable’ performance at Wolves was to make five changes for the visit of Villa.
However, Villa were full value for their victory as they dominated the hosts across the midfield, with Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish absolutely excellent.
It was Hourihane’s wicked delivery in the second half which proved to be most devastating, with Konsa given the simple task of tapping past Jordan Pickford.
While the veteran midfielder was providing assists on Merseyside, 19-year-old Luke Thomas made his debut for Leicester and got his first assist on his first start.
The Foxes took the lead after 29 minutes when Ayoze Perez scored his eighth goal of the season. Debutant Thomas found the striker unmarked 15 yards out and his low effort beat Dean Henderson.
In a pretty dire game which summed up the current plight of both Everton and Villa, neither side was able to register a shot on target until the 72nd minute.
When it arrived it brought a goal as Konsa touched home Hourihane’s cross to hand the visitors a relegation lifeline.
Elsewhere, Leicester wrapped up the three points when it was Premier League centurion Jamie Vardy who turned provider this time.
The former England striker found Demarai Gray, who fired past Henderson to wrap up all three points for the hosts and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
While it was ecstasy for one side from the Midlands, Villa endured yet more late agony as they conceded their 19th goal in the last 15 minutes this season.
Lucas Digne’s deep cross found Theo Walcott and the substitute headed the ball back towards the far post.
As it hung agonisingly in the air for Villa, hero Konsa could not get the necessary connection to keep the ball from crossing the line and Anthony Taylor confirmed (via his watch) what manager Dean Smith feared.
Villa have got two games remaining now; Arsenal at home and then face West Ham United in the East End. Considering they are level with Bournemouth on 31 points and three behind the Hammers and Watford, their fate is ut of their hands.
The Blades remain in eighth, just a point behind Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the Europa League.
But the biggest winners from Thursday’s early games are the Foxes, who have sunk their teeth into fourth spot once again.
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By: Joe
Title: Premier League RESULTS: Aston Villa concede late at Everton as Leicester keep Champions League dreams alive against Sheffield United
Sourced From: talksport.com/football/733505/premier-league-results-aston-villa-everton-as-leicester-keep-champions-league-sheffield-united-relegation-odds/
Published Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2020 19:01:37 +0000
