Two teams in need of a win meet on Saturday when Aston Villa host Champions League knockout stage hopes Leicester City.
Villa looked to have turned the corner towards the start of December, but ended 2024 with just one win from four games, with that The coming win over Manchester City the team handing out three points like there's no tomorrow… for everyone but Leicester.
Leicester ended the year with one 2-0 loss at the hands of Pep Guardiola's stuttering champions and come into this game having won just once since October.
Here it is 90 minutes game preview.
Aston Villa vs Leicester H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Aston Villa |
Leicester |
|---|---|
|
Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton – 30/12/24 |
Leicester 0-2 Man City – 29/12/24 |
|
Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa – 26/12/24 |
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 26/12/24 |
|
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 21/12/24 |
Leicester 0-3 Wolves – 22/12/24 |
|
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa – 14/12/24 |
Newcastle 4-0 Leicester – 14/12/24 |
|
RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa – 10/12/24 |
Leicester 2-2 Brighton – 08/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
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 |
John Duran has two more games left on his suspension to serve and is joined at the other end by Morgan Rogers, who was shown a fifth yellow card last time out and has a one-match ban.
Quarterback Pau Torres limped off injured and looks set for a spell on the field, meaning a possible recall for Tyrone Mings.
Aston Villa predicted formation against Leicester (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey; Watkins.
Jordan Ayew has served his one-match ban and should reclaim his place in Leicester's attack. There is also hope that defender Wout Faes can feature in some capacity after injury.
Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen remain unavailable.
Leicester predicted formation against Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy.
Both sides may be struggling for form, but Aston Villa will be extremely confident of picking up another three points here against a Leicester side who have struggled terribly at the back since Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge.
Working in Villa's favor is their great form at home – Unai Emery's side are unbeaten in league action at Villa Park since August – so fans will rightly expect a comprehensive victory.
Ayew's return is important for Leicester but the Foxes are unlikely to have enough possession to take advantage of his presence outside the box.