Aston Villa vs Leicester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Aston Villa's home form has been excellent in recent weeks, which will give them the edge against a Leicester City side who are struggling this season. The Villains are unbeaten in their previous five league games at Villa Park, with wins over Manchester City (2-1), Southampton (1-0) & Brentford (3-1).

Leicester City are winless in their previous five and have lost their last four consecutive league games following their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. Both sides have shown frailties in defence, with neither side keeping a clean sheet in their previous five, with Leicester City failing to keep a clean sheet in 13. Expect goals based on that regard, with Over 2.5 goals scored in the last five involving the hosts and eight of the last nine involving Leicester City – Aston Villa 3-1 Leicester City

Leicester make the trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League, with both sides looking for a crucial three points as they compete at each end of the table.

Date: 04/01/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Villa Park

Aston Villa have just one win in their last four games, following a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton last time out. However, despite occupying ninth place, they are only three points behind Newcastle in fifth. Unai Emery’s side have shown some inconsistencies of late, but a win could see them leapfrog multiple teams and leave them in a strong position early in the new year.

For Leicester, they will be hoping for a positive result to get closer to safety. The Foxes made a winning start under new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, but are winless in five games since, which includes four consecutive defeats. They are in 19th, though trail 17th place Wolves by just two points.

There should be goals in this game with struggling defences on both sides. The hosts have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league games, which came against bottom club Southampton. Similarly, Leicester have had plenty of issues with 14 conceded in their last five. Villa, however, have the greater talent to take all three points, especially at home. They will be without the impressive Jhon Duran through suspension, but have a more than capable replacement in Ollie Watkins, who returned to the lineup with a goal against Brighton.

Van Nistelrooy’s side have scored three in five since his debut win against West Ham at the beginning of December. They showed glimpses of a threat at Liverpool on Boxing Day, taking the lead through Jordan Ayew, before giving Man City some concern last time out. The visitors will have been disappointed to have no points to show for it. Jamie Vardy should have netted against the champions, a goal which would have added to his team leading six league goals. Facundo Buonanotte and Ayew are close behind with four goals apiece.

Since 2020, these two teams have met eight times in the Premier League. There has not been much to split the pair, though Villa edge the recent head-to-head with four wins to Leicester’s three and a draw. The hosts are looking to make it three wins in a row against their opponents, following consecutive 2-1 wins. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in Villa’s favour at the King Power, as Amadou Onana and Duran were on the scoresheet.

Aston Villa vs Leicester City will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Aston Villa

Jhon Duran will serve the second of a three-game ban following his red card against Newcastle. Morgan Rogers will also miss out through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card last time out. Matty Cash is available to return from a one-game suspension for the same reason.

Leicester City

Wout Faes and Wilfred Ndidi are expected to return from injury. Jordan Ayew will be available for selection after serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. Mads Hermansen and Ricardo Pereira remain out.

Aston Villa

In their last five games, Aston Villa have won two, lost two and drawn one. It has been a solid stretch for Villa but they have struggled a little for consistency. This run started with Champions League action in which they travelled to Germany to face RB Leipzig. Villa took the lead three times, firstly through John McGinn and Jhon Duran, before Ross Barkley netted the winner with five minutes to go.

Their next game was away at Nottingham Forest. They lost 2-1 as Forest scored twice in the closing stages to overturn a 1-0 deficit given to them by Duran. They then faced struggling Man City at home. Villa beat the champions 2-1, with goals from Duran and Rogers before a late Phil Foden consolation.

On Boxing Day, they travelled to Newcastle, though lost 3-0. Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a very early lead, before Duran was sent off shortly after the half hour mark. Alexander Isak and Joelinton completed the scoring in the second half. Last time out, they hosted fellow European challengers Brighton. They drew 2-2 in a game where both teams took the lead. Ollie Watkins and Rogers were on the scoresheet.

Leicester:

In their last five games, Leicester have drawn one and lost four. After a great start to life under Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Foxes have struggled to pick up points. This run started with a home game as they came back from a 2-0 deficit late on to draw with Brighton. Goals from Jamie Vardy and Bobby De Cordova Reid salvaged a point.

Newcastle were their next opponents on the road, but they were condemned to a 4-0 defeat. Jacob Murphy scored a brace, adding to strikes from Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. They then faced fellow relegation battlers Wolves. They were defeated 3-0 as Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha all scored before the break.

On Boxing Day, they hosted league leaders Liverpool. They lost 3-1, though took the lead through Jordan Ayew. Cody Gakpo equalised shortly before the break, before Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah sealed their win in the second half. At the weekend, they hosted champions Man City, where they lost 2-0 with goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland.

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