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

Aston Villa have taken seven points from the last four head-to-head meetings between the two teams and have started this campaign in more impressive fashion than the Foxes.

Unai Emery's side have lost only three of their last ten away games in the Premier League and ran out 2-1 winners when they last met Leicester on this ground in April 2023.

Villa should simply be too strong for a Leicester side that have a lot of development to cycle through if they are going to be able to compete in this division. Leicester 0-2 Aston Villa.

Leicester City and Aston Villa are set to face off this Saturday in a Premier League clash that pits two teams with very contrasting fortunes and expectations.

• Date: 31/08/2024
• Kick-off time: 15:00
• Location: King Power Stadium, Leicester

Leicester City, currently sitting 15th in the Premier League with just one point from their opening two games, find themselves in a precarious position. Newly promoted from the Championship, the Foxes entered the season with little fanfare, largely due to a tumultuous summer that saw them lose both their manager and star player. The club's financial difficulties have further compounded their issues, preventing them from making significant reinforcements to their squad.

The arrival of Steve Cooper as manager has brought some positives, with the team showing glimpses of potential. However, these positive signs have been sporadic, and the overall performance has not been enough to allay fears of a difficult season ahead. The squad, while containing some experienced players, lacks the depth and quality needed to consistently compete at this level.

Adding to Leicester's woes is the looming threat of significant points deductions due to financial breaches. Reports suggest these deductions could be "historic" in size, potentially plunging the Foxes deeper into the relegation battle. Even without this, the general consensus is that Leicester will struggle to stay in the top flight, with their lack of firepower and defensive frailties likely to prove costly over the course of the season.

In contrast, Aston Villa have had a more promising start to their Premier League campaign. After two tough fixtures, they sit 12th in the table with three points. The Villans are building on last season's success, where they finished 4th under the guidance of Unai Emery, securing a historic spot in the Champions League.

Villa's ambitions this season are clear: to establish themselves as regular contenders for European football. To this end, they have strengthened their squad over the summer, with notable signings such as Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen. The early signs suggest that these additions will bolster Villa’s chances of achieving their goals, although it is acknowledged that both players, more so Maatsen, will need time to fully integrate into the team.

The growing emergence of forward Morgan Rogers is also proving a source of increasing excitement at Villa Park. Rogers signed from Middlesbrough back in January and showed flashes of his promise last season, but this season he appears to have taken his game to a new level, providing a potent threat to opposition defences through his powerful ball-carrying and innovative work in the final third.

However, all is not perfect at Villa Park. Defensive concerns have emerged, particularly regarding Matty Cash. The right-back has struggled with both form and fitness, raising questions about the depth of Villa’s defensive options. With the transfer window still open, there is speculation that Villa may need to dip back into the market to address these issues, particularly as they lack cover at both centre-back and right-back. This could be a crucial factor in determining how their season unfolds, especially if injuries continue to take their toll.

This game will not be televised live in the UK, but full radio commentary will be provided by BBC Radio Leicester.

Leicester Team News:

Patson Daka, Conor Coady, Luke Thomas and Jakub Stolarczyk remain out for the Foxes.

New signing Oliver Skipp could start in the middle of the park for the home side as they look to avoid allowing Villa too much freedom in the middle of the park.

Predicted lineup: Hermansen; Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen; Skipp, Winks, Ndidi; Fatawu, Vardy, De Cordova-Reid.

Aston Villa:

Matty Cash is a major doubt at right-back after leaving the pitch injured against Arsenal at the weekend.

If deemed unfit, then 18-year-old Serbian, Kosta Nedeljković, could be awarded his first competitive start for the club.

Tyrone Mings, Boubakar Kamara and Robin Olsen all remain on the treatment table.

Predicted lineup: Martínez; Nedeljković, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.

Leicester took on Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the campaign and secured a commendable 1-1 draw. Leicester were firmly put to the sword in the first half in what was a dominant display from the visitors, who secured a 1-0 lead as Pedro Porro guided a James Maddison cross into the far corner.

However, Leicester came out swinging in the second half and were much improved, and it didn’t take too long for them to draw level through a goal from the timeless Jamie Vardy.

Leicester continued to provide a threat on the break, but the game finished level in a good first result for the Foxes.

Steve Cooper's side then travelled to Fulham, where their fortunes were much different. Leicester fell behind to an Emile Smith-Rowe goal and despite Wout Faes equalising from a corner, Fulham claimed all three points with an Alex Iwobi goal in the second half.

Aston Villa were in London the opening weekend to face West Ham in what looked like a tricky encounter. Villa took the lead through debutant Onana before a Lucas Paquetá penalty drew the Hammers level before half time.

Villa shaded the better of the play throughout the game and were rewarded late on as substitute Jhon Durán netted a late winner with just over ten minutes remaining.

The weekend’s fixture saw Villa take on Arsenal, hoping to produce a repeat of last season where they secured a league double over the Gunners. It was a very competitive game and Villa will be kicking themselves for missing a number of chances, mainly through last season’s top scorer, Ollie Watkins, who missed a pair of gilt-edged chances.

In the second half Arsenal snatched the game from Villa through Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey, securing a 2-0 win, but Villa will feel as though their performance deserved more.

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