Premier League | Gameweek 20

Jan 4, 2025 at 3pm UK

Villa Park

Aston Villa vs Leicester

Match preview

After a pretty gloomy afternoon in the North-East against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, it looked like Aston Villa would win their fourth Premier League game in a row at their Second City base on Monday night, but their South Coast opponents Brighton got a point late on.

The Seagulls got off to a flying start in the 12th minute with a goal from winger Simon Adingra, but then the Villans pulled ahead thanks to strikes from England duo Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers. However, a goal from right-back Tariq Lamptey in the closing 10 minutes meant the teams shared the points.

Villa have only won one of their last four top-flight games before the new year, which is why they've dropped to ninth in the Premier League. But their manager, Unai Emery, has his team in with a shout for a Champions League spot, with fifth-placed Newcastle United only three points ahead.

If the Premier League title was decided based on home form alone, Villa would be in the running. They've got 19 points from 10 home games at Villa Park, which is only better than Liverpool (22), Brentford (22) and Arsenal (21).

Villa are on a bit of a roll at the moment, unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games at home. Their only loss at home this season was on 24 August, when Arsenal won 2-0 thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

After a perfect start to his reign at the King Power Stadium - a 3-1 thrashing of West Ham United on December 3 - new Leicester City head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has since been given little reason for festive cheer, with Saturday's visitors collecting just the single point from their last five contests.

After a scary trip to Liverpool on Boxing Day, current English champions Manchester City were up next in the East Midlands. Goals from Savio and towering Norwegian Erling Haaland either side of half-time secured maximum points for the struggling Citizens.

Leicester are slowly losing their battle to avoid an immediate return to the stresses of the Championship. Van Nistelrooy's men are languishing down in 19th position, two points behind a resurgent Wolverhampton Wanderers in the relative comfort of 17th.

They've only won one of their nine away games in the division this season, and only Brentford and Southampton, who are doing really badly, have done worse than Leicester on the road. The Foxes' only success away from the East Midlands was at St Mary's Stadium in October.

With a number of attacking signings not quite hitting the mark so far this term, Leicester have been relying on the experience and know-how of club legend Jamie Vardy to provide moments of magic. The 37-year-old is leading his side's Golden Boot race with six Premier League goals.

Recent Performance

Aston Villa Premier League form:WWLWLD

Aston Villa form (all competitions):WWLWLD

Leicester City Premier League form:WDLLLL

Team News

Aston Villa are having a tough time with suspensions before this weekend's match against Leicester. Jhon Duran won't be playing again for two more matches because of the stamp he put on Newcastle's Fabian Schar on Boxing Day.Also, goalscorer Rogers got his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season on Monday, so he won't be playing against the Foxes.

The Villans also lost a key star to injury last time out, with Spanish centre-back Pau Torres forced off because of a troublesome-looking foot injury.As a result, Brazilian Diego Carlos will need a new partner at the heart of the Villans' backline, with Tyrone Mings representing the most likely candidate for the role.

Villa are struggling a bit because of a pair of suspensions, but Leicester will welcome Jordan Ayew back to the matchday squad after he missed the loss to Manchester City because of a yellow card accumulation.The Foxes still don't have their first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen (groin), so it looks like Polish stopper Jakub Stolarczyk will continue in between the sticks.

Wout Faes has missed the last two Premier League games because of an injury, but he might be back this weekend. Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi and Abdul Fatawu are still sidelined though.

Possible starting lineup

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey; Watkins

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks, Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy