Manager Brendan Rodgers said Tete was “the winger we’ve been looking for” after Leicester’s new signing shone in an excellent win at Villa Park that edged the Foxes away from trouble at the foot of the Premier League.
The 22-year-old, a short-term signing from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, impressed throughout and scored a fine goal to suggest he could prove the spark the Foxes need to avoid a scrap against relegation.
Rodgers’ side were twice behind in the first half but rallied to claim three vital points and stem Aston Villa’s fine start to life under Unai Emery.
“Tete is direct, can take people on and score,” Rodgers said.
“He’s someone we’ve been looking for for a while. He was outstanding. We have been crying out for that balance to the team. He gives us the space in the middle by playing so wide.”
Ollie Watkins gave the home side the lead after Emiliano Buendia hit the crossbar, only for fit-again James Maddison to immediately level.
Watkins then drove a shot in off another new Foxes signing, Harry Souttar, but Kelechi Iheanacho equalised again with a header before Tete rounded Emiliano Martinez to put Leicester ahead at the break.
Philippe Coutinho had a goal ruled out for offside as Emery’s side piled on the pressure in the second half, but Rodgers saw his team seal the much-needed points when substitute Dennis Praet ran through to score.
