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After two straight misses, Riyad Mahrez relieved of penalty duties

Aston Villa v Leicester City - Premier League

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City takes a penalty saved by Mark Bunn of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on January 16, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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Riyad Mahrez has scored 13 Premier League goals this season, but he will no longer be taking penalty kicks for Leicester City.

After successive misses from the spot, manager Claudio Ranieri said Mahrez will be relieved of his penalty duties, with Jamie Vardy likely to take charge.

[ RECAP: Aston Villa 1-0 Leicester ]

Mahrez saw his penalty kicks saved against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, with each match ending in a draw for Leicester. The Foxes remain tied at the top of the table with Arsenal, but could be four points clear had Mahrez converted those shots.

With just one win from their past five league matches, Ranieri was still very upbeat and told Mahrez not to worry about the change.

Riyad was a little sad [to miss the penalty]. I spoke with him and I said, “Come on man, even champions miss penalties.”

I talked to him and said, “Don’t worry, take a little break and you’ll have a chance to take them again”.


While Mahrez has been brilliant for the Foxes this season, his recent misses have cost Leicester valuable points that could end up being crucial to their position at the end of the season.

[ MORE: Premier League Playback -- Five horse title race ]

Jamie Vardy has scored all four of his penalty attempts this season, and Ranieri hinted that Leonardo Ulloa could get a chance from the spot as well.