The Premier League returns with a bang on Saturday as Aston Villa play host to struggling Leicester City at Villa Park. Both teams are in dire need of a victory, but it’s the hosts who will be confident of securing all three points against a Leicester side that has been struggling horribly since Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge.
Aston Villa‘s recent form has been patchy, to say the least. Unai Emery‘s side ended 2024 on a run of just one win from four games, with that victory coming over a Manchester City side that has been handing out three points like they’re going out of fashion. However, the Villans will be buoyed by their imperious home form, which has seen them remain unbeaten in league action at Villa Park since August.
On the other hand, Leicester City are stuck in a miserable run of defeats, having won just once since October. The Foxes ended the year with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City, and they will be desperate to turn their fortunes around against an Aston Villa side that will be confident of securing all three points.
The Team News: Injuries and Suspensions
Aston Villa will be without the suspended Morgan Rogers, who was shown his fifth yellow card last time out. Jhon Duran still has two more games left of his suspension to serve, while centre-back Pau Torres limped off injured and looks set for a spell on the sidelines. Tyrone Mings is likely to be recalled to the starting lineup in place of Torres.
Leicester City, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of Jordan Ayew, who has served his one-match ban. There is also hope that defender Wout Faes could feature in some capacity after a spell out through injury. However, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu, and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen all remain unavailable.
The Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey; Watkins.
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy.
The Score Prediction
Both sides might be struggling for form, but Aston Villa will be supremely confident of tallying up another three points here against a Leicester City side that has struggled horribly at the back since Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge. Working in Villa‘s favour is their imperious home form, which has seen them remain unbeaten in league action at Villa Park since August.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Leicester City.
