'I was 50/50 in the week': Ross Barkley dedicates Leicester winner to Aston Villa physio

Midfielder's late strike sinks Foxes to make it four wins from four for Villa

Aston Villa's Ross Barkley in action against Leicester City. Reuters

Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley closes in on Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy. AFP

Wesley Fofana of Leicester in action against Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa. EPA

Aston Villa's Ross Barkley celebrates scoring a late winner. Reuters

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. EPA

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana. AFP

James Maddison of Leicester takes a free kick. EPA

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish in action. Reuters

Leicester City's Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel punches the ball away. AFP

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. EPA

Ross Barkley dedicated his stoppage time winner at Leicester City to the Aston Villa physio who helped get him match fit for the clash at the King Power Stadium.

Barkley rated his chances of playing in Sunday's late match as "50/50" at the start of the week having picked up an injury during the international break but snatched the winner with a shot which left Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel clutching thin air, as the ball bounced in front of him.

The result kept Villa perfect in the Premier League as Dean Smith's side second on 12 points with a game in hand over leaders Everton who have 13.

Barkley, who is on loan at Villa from Chelsea, also scored on his Villa debut in a 7-2 home drubbing of Liverpool before the recent internationals, was delighted as they started the season with four wins for the first time since 1930.

"An important win today as they were on top and we started slow but we improved and in the end deserved it," he told Sky Sports.

"I was 50/50 in the week and [our physio] did a really good job getting me right. He said I would end up scoring the goal and I did so I dedicated the goal to him.

"The manager has given me the platform to play and I am excited and looking forward to every game."

Villa manager Dean Smith heaped praise on Barkley.

"We have seen Ross Barkley do that enough times for Everton and Chelsea so we are pleased he did it for us today," Smith told the BBC.

"It was touch and go whether he started today. He had a knock to the knee but a great goal and a real battling performance by the whole team.

"We are just looking at the next game. We will savour what we are doing at the moment and look forward to the Leeds game."