As it happened: Leicester City 3-2 Villarreal

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

 

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!