Two teams in need of a win meet on Saturday when Champions League knockout hopefuls Aston Villa host Leicester City.
Villa appeared to have turned the corner in early December, but ended 2024 with a run of just one win from four games, with that victory coming over a Manchester City side that handed out three points like there was no tomorrow… to everyone except Leicester.
Leicester ended the year with a 2-0 defeat to sputtering champion Pep Guardiola and went into this game having picked up just one win since October.
Here is 90 minutes Preview the game.
Aston Villa vs Leicester H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Aston Villa | Leicester |
|---|---|
Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton – 30/12/24 | Leicester 0-2 Man City – 12/29/24 |
Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa – 12/26/24 | Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 12/26/24 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 12/21/24 | Leicester 0-3 Wolves – 22/12/24 |
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa – 12/14/24 | Newcastle 4-0 Leicester – 12/14/24 |
RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa – 10/12/24 | Leicester 2-2 Brighton – 08/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Radio commentary and updates on talKSPORT, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Leicester |
United States | Peacock, SiriusXM FC |
Canada | fuboTV CanadaFubo Sports Network 4 Canada |
Jhon Duran still has two games left to serve on his ban and will be joined on the sidelines by Morgan Rogers, who picked up his fifth yellow card last time out and is facing a one-match ban.
Centre-back Pau Torres has hobbled off injured and looks set to wait for a break, meaning a likely recall from Tyrone Mings.
Predicted Aston Villa line-up against Leicester (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey; Watkins.
Jordan Ayew has served his own one-match ban and should reclaim his place in Leicester’s attack. There is also hope that defender Wout Faes could return to action in some capacity after an injury layoff.
Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen are still unavailable.
Predicted line-up for Leicester against Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy.
Both teams may be struggling with form, but Aston Villa are confident of picking up another three points here against a Leicester side who have struggled terribly defensively since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over.
What works in Villa’s favor is their confident home form – Unai Emery’s side are unbeaten in the league at Villa Park since August – so fans can rightly expect a comprehensive victory.
Ayew’s return is significant for Leicester, but the Foxes are unlikely to have enough possession to benefit from his presence on the wing.