Aston Villa FC
Leicester City
Leicester City
Exciting Midlands clash sees Leicester go to Villa in search of 2nd place
Leicester to win 3-2
Like many sides this season, Aston Villa are enduring a tricky spell right now, with just three wins coming from their last nine matches in the league.
They’ve been a little unlucky with results and decisions not going in their favour, but they’re form hasn’t been in the same region as it was earlier in the season when they were consistently knocking on the door of the top four.
With two games in hand, Villa could still mount a serious challenge to the teams above them, though their form will certainly need to improve, despite a tough game here.
Leicester, on the other hand, are firmly planted within the top four and can go outright 2nd with a point here, as Manchester United play a little later in the day.
One of the most exciting sides to watch this season, The Foxes have kept the pace with the two sides above them with just one defeat from their last 11.
This could be a high-scoring game.
Form Guide (all comps): LWLWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Won the reverse fixture against Leicester 1-0 back in October
Have registered a club record 12 clean sheets this season
Reasons to be fearful:
Have only one once in their last 20 attempts against a side in the top three
Leicester’s away form is the best in the league right now
Aston Villa will be hoping that they have come through a sticky patch of form, with the top four still in sight across their remaining 16 games of the season.
Having had two three games postponed due to Coronavirus a couple of months ago, they have been constantly playing catch up, but it’s something which could land in their favour if they are able to secure wins in their games in hand.
Despite only earning three wins from nine, winning their additional games would currently take them above Chelsea into 4th and they’ll be looking to draw upon their strong defensive record this season against an attacking Leicester side.
Star Man – Ollie Watkins
Villa’s top scorer has the opportunity to score in four consecutive home league games.
Form Guide (all comps): WDWWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have the best away record in the league, unbeaten in last seven
Brendan Rodgers has won all five away games as a manager against Villa
Reasons to be fearful:
Lost to Villa earlier in the season
Played in midweek and could be fatigued
While teams below them like Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea have struggled for consistency, and Manchester United ahead of them have flatlined slightly, Leicester have managed to capitalise with a run of fine form.
By thrashing last season’s champions Liverpool a week ago, Leicester firmly placed themselves within the best three teams in the country right now, and showed signs that they could push Manchester United for 2nd place for the remainder of the season.
Understandably, with the resumption of the Europa League in midweek, the Foxes’ players could be tired after a trip to the Czech Republic and back, potentially playing into Villa’s hands.
However, with the likes of Vardy, Maddison and Barnes in such fine form right now, it’s hard to see them not scoring here.
Star Man – Jamie Vardy
Has scored five goals in his last four league games against Villa.
An entertaining fixture with chances at both ends
Leicester are favourites but could be tired
If Villa can keep Vardy quiet, they have a chance
Leicester have a huge incentive of moving into 2nd place if they avoid defeat here, with Manchester United playing later in the day.
Arguably, they are in better form than Villa and should look to impose their superiority.
Villa are a far better team this season compared with last, but are struggling to pick up wins consistently right now.
Leicester are favourites, but this should be a fun game to watch.
Leicester to win 3-2
