Leicester City 1-2 Aston Villa: Jhon Duran grabs winner as Foxes fightback fails

There was no shortage of commitment from Leicester, but the Foxes – who improved in the second half and could have snatched a late equaliser – ultimately paid the price for a slow start.

Had it not been for goalkeeper Hermansen, Villa would have been out of sight by half-time.

After twice denying Watkins, the Dane almost gifted the striker an opener when he let Caleb Okoli’s pass slip under his foot before recovering in time to clear the danger.

However, there was nothing he could do to keep out Onana’s close-range finish in the first half, while Duran’s header also sailed beyond the reach of the 24-year-old.

Referee David Coote left the field to a chorus of boos from the Leicester fans, who felt the hosts should have been awarded a late chance to equalise from the penalty spot when Konsa upended Vardy – although the veteran striker appeared to be just offside when El Khannouss played the ball.

Coote had already incurred the wrath of the home supporters by disallowing a Vardy goal earlier in the second half, after Harry Winks’ through-ball had clipped the referee’s heels in the build-up.

“It’s a tough one to take,” said Cooper, who was also unhappy with Coote’s decision to award Villa a free-kick for Oliver Skipp’s challenge on Watkins prior to the visitors’ opener. “It’s something you have to contend with, but you take a deep breath and accept that’s how it is.”

“We’ve seen more than enough in the three performances to feel like we’re going to be OK [in the Premier League]. We’re disappointed with the defeat, but if we stay as we are and improve in areas we want to, we’ll be all right.”