Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

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Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

Ruud van Nistelrooy rued Leicester City’s misfortune during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, but is confident that his side will be able to convert performances into points.

2025-01-05T09:00+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

05 Jan, 2025

from Villa Park

Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

Ruud van Nistelrooy rued Leicester City’s misfortune during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, but is confident that his side will be able to convert performances into points.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-05T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

Ruud van Nistelrooy rued Leicester City’s misfortune during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, but is confident that his side will be able to convert performances into points.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-05T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

Ruud van Nistelrooy rued Leicester City’s misfortune during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, but is confident that his side will be able to convert performances into points.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-05T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: The Lads Deserved More

Ruud van Nistelrooy rued Leicester City’s misfortune during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, but is confident that his side will be able to convert performances into points.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-05T09:00+00:00

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to Leicester City's 2-1 loss at Aston Villa
The Dutchman believes City deserved more from Villa Park
He also praised Jordan Ayew and Stephy Mavididi for Leicester's equaliser

Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey struck for the Villans either side of Stephy Mavididi’s strike at Villa Park, with all goals coming after the break following a tight first half. City had their own chances to take points from the game, but in the end were forced to accept a fifth defeat in a row which keeps them inside the Premier League’s relegation zone.

That being said, performances have been promising for the Foxes, who led at leaders Liverpool, controlled phases against champions Manchester City and most recently feel they could have taken a least a draw from Unai Emery’s Europe-chasing Villa.

The Dutchman said at full-time: “The lads deserved more and should reward themselves with these kinds of performances, also against [Man] City last week, where we have to make sure these performances are converted into points.

Stephy Mavididi strike gave City hope in the second half.

“It was a very difficult away game where we controlled the game very well. Out of possession, but also in possession, we were very calm and composed on the ball.

“We had some good breaks on the counter, where we created some chances. We held Villa to very few chances really. The first goal was a second ball that we headed away from a second phase from a corner.

“I think we could have done better there ourselves in the organisation. The other one, of course, we lost the ball in a place where we shouldn’t have lost it and then you have to be able to know how to clear a situation like that. We made a couple of changes, going for it, all or nothing, but we couldn’t get the second one.”

A fourth goal of the season for Mavididi levelled the scores at 1-1 just after the hour-mark in Birmingham, but it wasn’t enough ultimately. Van Nistelrooy was keen to praise the winger for his decisiveness in front of goal, also highlighting Jordan Ayew’s role.

“It was a good goal,” the former PSV Eindhoven manager continued. “Jordan had an excellent game. He controlled the left side of Villa really well with JJ (James Justin). It’s obviously a very good side with [Lacas] Digne and [John] McGinn and later with very good players who played there.

“He did well, also on the break, where he drove the ball and got a good cross in to Jamie [Vardy] and then, the rebound, it was Stephy there to convert it. It was a well deserved goal. The first big chance of the game was also Stephy at 0-0.

It was a frustrating outcome for the Foxes at Villa Park.

“It was a shame he couldn’t get that on target, but other than that, we were so close to a big point. As I said, the lads deserved it, but let’s continue the development that we’re doing over the five weeks we’ve been together and I’m sure that we can convert, with this kind of performance, in points sooner rather than later.”

Maintaining confidence levels will now be key for Leicester, van Nistelrooy says, as he strives to repair his side’s form and get them climbing the Premier League table.

“It's important that we do,” he explained, on the importance of looking to the positives. “Players feel, I think, that there’s something in these games for us to take. Against Man City, Villa away, that gives you a confidence.

“It’s a massive disappointment that we weren’t able to convert last week, against [Man] City, also this week, into points. In the end, we know what matters and that’s the points.”

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