Leicester's comeback was not enough as Duran's header gave Villa victory | Premier League

“We’re on our way, to the Champions League, we’re on our way,” sang the Aston Villa fans lodged in a pocket of this blue bowl, fresh from the dates of their European adventure The mood was high among Villa fans long before they secured victory thanks to Amadou Onana, who benefited from some inventive free-kick in the first half and a fine header from substitute Jhon Duran in the second. In the end, Onana and Duran danced in front of the home crowd, displaying some clever footwork, with the former leading the supporters in chants of his name as they left the pitch.

Leicester, however, were not in that mood. Steve Cooper was already angry with referee David Coote before Coote waved away appeals for a penalty three minutes into second-half stoppage time when Youri Tielemans snatched the ball from Jamie Vardy. Cooper had a few words for Coote as the referee and his assistants made their way down the tunnel flanked by the stewards.

The decision that irked Cooper was the one that led to Villa's first goal and, in his view, changed the character of the game. Oliver Skipp was booked despite appearing to win the ball behind Ollie Watkins and, thanks to the subsequent free-kick, Villa came out on top.

“The clear message to players and staff[before the season]was that the threshold for tackles and duels was going to be raised, and then we got that done,” the Leicester manager said. “Then I say again that it’s just another reminder that we are where we are with the refereeing. You just keep your fingers crossed every week that it doesn’t go against you on any given match day.

“I noticed this more last season, when I was away from the game and watched the matches more neutrally. You can clearly see that the refereeing is behind.”

The arrival of the set-piece coach is not for everyone, although for coaches it has become a fashionable accessory, if not an essential one. It was Austin MacPhee, the Scot who joined Villa under Dean Smith three years ago, who received a warm hug from Unai Emery after Villa opened the scoring.

Following the controversial free-kick, former Leicester midfielder Tielemans flicked a pass on to the speedy Jacob Ramsey, who charged into the 18-yard box and fed Onana, who slid inside and finished with ease. “The players are aware of their importance,” said Emery.

If Cooper was perplexed by the decision to penalise Skipp, the frustration was even greater. Watkins, who missed a brilliant chance to open the scoring after 94 seconds, got away with it by committing a late foul on Skipp. Perhaps it was a case of balancing things out.

Moments earlier, Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen had caught Watkins inside the box but was not punished. For Leicester, another outrageous decision was that of the referee, who blew his whistle just before Leicester's equaliser in the 58th minute. The ball hit Coote and he passed to Skipp, who crossed for Jamie Vardy to finish. The Villa defence stood still, waiting for the goal to be ruled out.

Leicester were growing in confidence, just as they did in the second half here. Against Tottenham In his first game of the season, Emery called on Ross Barkley and Duran. Within a couple of minutes, the enigmatic Duran had doubled Villa's lead with a superb header.

Lucas Digne played a one-two with Ramsey and when the former made a pass into the area, Duran beat Caleb Okoli and sent a good header into the top corner. It was Duran's second touch that gave the visitors some breathing room.

That goal prompted a triple change for Leicester, with Bilal El Khannouss coming on for his debut following a £20m move from Genk. It was not to be a perfect afternoon for Villa, however. Leon Bailey was forced off early with a hamstring injury and Leicester scored what proved to be a consolation goal. Stephy Mavididi got past Villa right-back Lamare Bogarde, who spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers and was making his league debut, and put in a goal-seeking cross.

Wilfred Ndidi failed to direct his header towards goal, but when the ball fell, Facundo Buonanotte masterfully finished off a left-foot volley.

Leicester were adamant that they should have been awarded a late penalty for a foul on Vardy, but Coote waved away their appeals. Cooper was booked for his protests.

Then, with four seconds of stoppage time remaining, Vardy was brought down inside the area by Ezri Konsa, but the out-of-bounds flag proved to be Villa's salvation.