As it happened: Leicester City 3-2 Villarreal

Thank you for tuning into today's live coverage of Leicester City vs Villarreal.

I have been Callum Boyle and it's been a pleasure to talk you through all the action this evening.

For all the latest news and reaction to that news, be sure to follow VAVEL UK. 

The injury to Fofana tonight will no doubt cause serious problems for Leicester in the defensive department.

With Jonny Evans also looking unlikely to play, it leaves them seriously light on options.

In all honesty, had the game been a competitive one, the challenge would have warranted a sending off and Brendan Rodgers was rightfully angered by what he saw.

He now has a big decision as to whether he makes a late dip into the market to bring in a new centre-back, or stick with what he's got.

The final game of Leicester's pre-season campaign ends in victory as they secure a 3-2 win over Villarreal.

Overall, a really astute display from the Foxes but the outcome of the game was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury suffered to bright talent Wesley Fofana.

Attention now turns to Saturday when they face Manchester City in the Community Shield. 

89' Leicester now looking to close the game out and wait for the full-time whistle with not long left to go.

86' The injury has certainly knocked the stuffing out of Leicester and the scoreline doesn't reflect the way the majority of this game has gone.

Daka came close for the Foxes however he could only find the side netting.

84' A very strange goal for Leicester to concede.

The free-kick was given and Villarreal took advantage by playing it quickly only for Ward to run out and a lapse in concentration allows Millan an open goal to aim at and close the deficit to just one goal.

80' The youngster Nelson is caught napping after a poor piece of control but he does well to recover and hold off the Villarreal challenge and see the ball out for a goal-kick.

 

76' Villarreal pull one back through Nino after he finishes  off Trigueros' through ball.

Understandably though it hasn't gone down well with the home support after the striker's late challenge on Fofana 

72' Golden opportunity to make it four for Leicester but Iheanacho misses an easy chance.

A great corner from Albrighton finds the head of the unmarked Nigerian but somehow puts it wide when it looked easier to score.

 

Ben Nelson has also come on to replace Fofana.

62' As expected there's been a lengthy delay in play as Fofana gets the treatment required.

Everyone in the stands rises to clap the youngster off. A real shame and not what anyone wants to see on a pitch. 

60' Concern for Leicester as Fofana is caught very late in a challenge on the halfway line and doesn't look in a good way.

A stretcher is on and it looks like he's going to have to be replaced. A real damper on what has been a really good night up until then so far.

Hopefully it's nothing too serious.

59 ' Gerard Moreno makes way for Villarreal as Fer Nino takes his place 

55' The desire to win the ball back from Leicester is second to none.

The visitors can't get a moment's breath as the Foxes hunt in packs to dispossess them and attack on goal.

51' That's game, set and match. 

Great bit of work from Leicester sees two subs combine as Daka lays the ball off for Dewsbury-Hall as the talented youngster tries to take it round the keeper before cutting the ball back to Perez who rolls it home into an empty net.

Villarreal look like they have given up!

49' He's only been on the pitch a matter of minutes but Daka is already causing the visitors problems.

Soyunucu reads the pass again and finds Barnes who lays the ball off to the substitute who unleashes a fierce effort which is well saved by Asenjo.

48' Brilliant piece of defending from Soyuncu as he cuts out a potentially dangerous through ball into the path of Gerard Moreno with a sliding effort.

A few substitutions for Leicester as the second-half gets underway! 

 

Considering this is only his second game back since his return from injury, Harvey Barnes looks like he's never been away.

The turn of pace for his goal was breathtakingly fast and if he can replicate his performances from last season into this one, he is going to be a defender's nightmare.

 

Well what a great end to the half that was!

Leicester comfortably in the lead at the break thanks to goals from Caglar Soyuncu and Harvey Barnes on the stroke of half-time in quick succession.

They've dominated for large amounts of the game and look like a real good side this season. Plenty of strong performances but Bertrand has been outstanding so far.

42' Just like that its two!

Bertrand again is involved as he slips a great ball through to Barnes who uses his pace to run through on goal before an expert finish into the goal.

Leicester great value for their lead

41' Just as I was mentioning his set-pieces, Bertrand delivers another peach of a ball as Leicester take a deserved lead.

The ball is whipped into the box and there is Soyuncu to head home into the corner as the Foxes score their first goal at the King Power Stadium this season.

Bertrand has looked really impressive in his home debut so far. His set-piece delivery and ability to get up and down the pitch has been a vital asset for Leicester this evening.

33' Leicester really starting to dominate as Pereira plays a lovely through ball to Vardy which is cleared away well.

A lovely corner from Bertrand is then headed away for another on the opposite side of the pitch.

31' Great work from Ndidi to win the ball back and after Vardy's first cross is blocked, Pereira then finds the striker with a follow-up ball into the box as Vardy tries a clever flick but it's easy for Asenjo to collect.

30' Pereira gets to the byline and looks to find someone with a ball into the box, however it is too high and can only go out for a goal kick.

28' Once again the delivery causes problems for Villarreal defence as Perez rises highest in a scramble to win the header, but despite meeting it with a looping effort, his shot fell just wide of the post.

27' Maddison wins yet another free-kick in an attacking position. Villarreal struggling to cope with the Foxes number 10.

22' Great delivery from Maddison who clips the ball into the path of Soyuncu as the defender heads the ball back into the box only for Asenjo to react first and collect the ball.

21' Maddison doing what he does best by winning Leicester a free-kick in a dangerous position from around 30 yards out.

18' Very close for Villarreal as a back pass to the goalkeeper Asenjo was nearly intercepted by Vardy.

We know just how dangerous the striker can be in those situations.

13' A nice try at something innovative from the Foxes but it fails to threaten and is easily cleared as the visitors tried to counter but it also comes to nothing.

12' Great run from Bertrand down the left as he draws a foul just on the edge of the box.

8' First chance falls to the visitors as a first-time cross from Gaspar is met with a tame header from Trigueros which goes the wrong side of the post.

7' A cagey start to the affairs so far as neither side can get a real foothold of the ball.

1'  The visitors get us off underway after the Foxes take the knee before kick-off.

Both teams walk out the tunnel to a standing ovation and thunderous applause! It's so good to hear the noise of supporters back in the stands.

Kick-off is coming next!

I think this game will see two very different types of sides tonight.

With Leicester coming towards the end of their pre-season and Villarreal still finding their feet, the difference in fitness levels will become more apparent towards the end of the game.

For the Foxes as well it will be one final audition before their trip to Wembley Stadium on Saturday whereas for the Yellow Submarine it will be more vital minutes in the tank and more scope to try new tactics on the pitch.

How good does the King Power Stadium look under the night lights?!

 

Just 10 minutes to go until kick-off in the East Midlands.

Leicester players are greeted to a rapturous applause from the fans as they come out for their warm ups.

 

If you haven't been one of the lucky ones to make it to the ground tonight, you can watch the game live on the Leicester City YouTube channel and on LCFC.com.

However if you want to follow updates of all the latest action, then VAVEL UK is the place to be!

 

Only one of the three summer signings is guaranteed a debut tonight for Leicester as left-back Ryan Bertrand starts tonight.

Other arrivals Boubakary Soumare and Patson Daka could however come off the bench to introduce themselves to the Foxes faithful.

 

A great sight to see as fans of Leicester get to return to the King Power Stadium for the first time this season.

 

Plenty of choices to come on from off the bench tonight for Leicester.

 

It seems like Unai Emery has also decided to go strong when choosing his side tonight.

Several recognisable names in the Yellow Submarine's team including the likes of Gerard and Alberto Moreno, Raul Albiol and Juan Foyth.

 

A statement of intent from Brendan Rodgers to go with a strong squad from the off.

It wouldn't be a surprise if this was the team that started the Community Shield game against Manchester City on Saturday.

 

Fresh from his heroic exploits at the European Championships goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is available for the first time this season.

 

 

Just under 15 minutes before we should hear how both sides will line up tonight.

Leicester fans got their first taste of what Patson Daka can bring to the table with a lovely goal in a six-goal thriller against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday.

How many goals do you think Daka will score this season?

 

Unfortunately, former Leicester midfielder Vicente Iborra will not be making a first return to the King Power Stadium tonight with injury ruling the Spaniard out.

Iborra took to Twitter to announce the news but confirmed he will be cheering the Foxes on from afar this season.

The 33-year-old remains a popular figure with both fans and players at the club after his spell in the East Midlands between 2017 and 2019.

 

He is expected to be in the squad tonight, but the rumours of a James Maddison move to Arsenal will not go away.

The latest reports according to Football.London indicate that the Gunners have offered Leicester £60m plus four players (Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah) in order to sweeten the deal.

If reports are said to be true, it is unlikely to be accepted, with Maddison still looking more than content with life at Leicester.

 

Do you think James Maddison will stay?  

 

 

To get all the latest team news from both sides, make sure to check out our preview of tonights game here.

 

Leicester City have been putting in the work on the training ground ahead of their final test of pre-season.

 

 

The game will be broadcasted live on the Leicester City YouTube channel, with kick-off getting underway at 7.45 BST.

Alternatively, if you are unable to watch on LCFC TV, then VAVEL UK is your best way to follow and not miss a moment of the action!

Pre-season games are always a nightmare to predict as for many sides, it's all about testing new tactics, bedding in new signings and getting valuable minutes in the tank ahead of a long season.

However, with Leicester starting their campaign in just a few days time, I would expect them to look a lot sharper than their opponents and I think that could be a telling factor in how the final result of this one plays out.

The crowd at the King Power will also be a huge benefit, as for many this will be the first time they have been able to cheer the Foxes on since March 2020! Nonetheless, it won't be an easy game and I can still see this being a close-fought battle.

Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Villarreal

This will actually be the first time that both sides have come up against each other in either a competitive or friendly format.

Leicester are no strangers to La Liga opposition though having faced Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League back in 2017 whilst they have also played in lucrative friendlies against the two giants Barcelona and Real Madrid over the years.

It was a season to remember for Gerard Moreno last year as the 29-year-old enjoyed a career-best goal tally, finding the net 30 times in all competitions.

His efforts led to his call-up to the Spain side for Euro 2020 and although he has only just returned to training in recent days, is still likely to play some part at the King Power Stadium.

Boubakary Soumare has been one of, if not, the standout players for Leicester during their pre-season friendlies.

The industrious midfielder arrived from Ligue 1 champions Lille this summer for a reported fee of around £20m and so far looks worth every penny. 

His range of passing as well as tough tackling in the middle of the park has shown the ​​​​​​​Frenchman to be a shrewd acquisition and is already proving to be a favourite amongst supporters.

With the visitors slightly behind in their pre-season schedule, it may see Unai Emery choose to field a more of a mix and match side as oppose to his best XI.

Exciting defender Pau Torres is currently away representing Spain at the Olympics so will be unavailable whilst former Leicester fan favourite Vicente Iborra also won't play whilst he returns to fitness following the return from a long-term injury.

 

Possible starting XI: Asenjo; Gasper, Foyth, Mendi, Albiol, Moreno, Iosifov, Morlanes, Trigueros, Pino, Nino

For the first time this pre-season, Leicester will have the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Ward available for selection.

The two shot-stoppers have been on an extended break following their participation at the European Championships this summer.

There will also be a chance for new signings Ryan Bertrand, Boubakary Soumare and Patson Daka to play at their new home in front of the Foxes faithful too.

It is likely that Brendan Rodgers will go near-full strength with only Jonny Evans expected to miss out along with long-term absentee James Justin due to injury.

Possible starting XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Fofana, Soyuncu, Bertrand; Ndidi, Tielemans, Soumare; Barnes, Vardy, Maddison.

After securing their first major honour in the club's history last season, winning the Europa League on penalties against Manchester United, Villarreal are sure to be no easy test for Leicester.

Unai Emery's side are a well disciplined and organised unit and the Yellow Submarine have plenty of talent at their disposal to cause the Foxes problems.

Brendan Rodgers' side will be aiming to find their first win of the 2021/22 campaign as they gear up for the start of their season.

Leicester are yet to win in any of their three games so far, losing to both Burton Albion and Wycombe Wanderers whilst also drawing with Queens Park Rangers in a six-goal thriller.

For the first time this season, fans of Leicester City will get to see their side in action at the King Power Stadium which has a capacity of 32,26.

With a Community Shield fixture against Manchester City coming up on Saturday, the Foxes final test of pre-season is going to be a tough one against UEFA Europa League winners Villarreal.

My name is Callum Boyle and I’ll be your host for this game.

We will provide you with pre-game analysis, score updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL