Leicester City face Aston Villa in the first leg of the semi-final of the Carabao Cup this evening, with the opposition severely depleted through injury this is Brendan Rodgers’ opportunity to put one foot in the final. He will be expected to field a strong side, as he did in their previous League Cup games against Premier League opposition, Newcastle United and Everton. But to avoid exerting excess energy as the Foxes did by going to extra-time against Everton Rodgers should start his strongest available players for tonight’s clash, and that starts up top with Jamie Vardy.
Vardy’s form this season has been nothing short of sensational, despite his 32 years of age the Leicester City talisman has been speeding up instead of slowing down. His metamorphosis back to the top is reminiscent of the English answer to Cristiano Ronaldo, and much like the Portuguese ace, Vardy is rubbing shoulders with the best strikers in Europe when it comes to accumulating league goals. So far this season he has found the back of the net 17 times in the Premier League, four more than anyone else, notching 37 per cent of Leicester’s goals.
However, in cup competitions, the Foxes’ talisman has failed to live up to his Premier League hype. The Englishman is yet to score in two League Cup appearances and was left out of the FA Cup squad that overcame Wigan at the weekend. But against Villa Rodgers cannot afford to take such a risk, and with the opportunity to add to his 2016 Premier League winners medal just three games away, Vardy will be desperate to start.
Furthermore, the ex-England international will cause the Villans severe problems at the back, especially with Tom Heaton ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. In his place Dean Smith has Jed Steer and Orjan Nyland to choose from. Despite the pair having an average age of 28, they have a meagre four Premier League appearances between them, three of which have been lost. Vardy will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing either second choice keeper.
To compound Villa’s misery central defender, Tyrone Mings is lacking match fitness having only just returned at the weekend. The hamstring injury he sustained was against Leicester City and just the thought of spending another 90 minutes chasing the Premier League top scorer would probably make his thigh muscle tweak.
It is essential that Vardy is amongst the starting eleven this evening after being rested at the weekend. With the prospect of a final on the horizon, a substantial contribution in the first leg could make sure he isn’t required in the second.
