Aston Villa-Leicester is a match for the 22nd day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 4pm: stats, TV, line-ups, predictions
Eliminated from both domestic cups, Aston Villa are unbeaten in four Premier League matches in a row, three of which have seen victory for the men led by Unai Emery. The former Villarreal coach, who took over from Steven Gerrard last November, is seeing the first effects of his ‘cure’.
Taking advantage of a far from impossible calendar, the Villans, after having beaten Tottenham by surprise at home, drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton and imposed themselves on two opponents within reach such as Leeds and Southampton. The league table has definitely improved compared to a few months ago, with the Birmingham club in danger of being sucked into the fight for relegation. With the benefit of hindsight, the Spanish coach has no regrets for having decided to snub the FA Cup, where his Aston Villa were sent home by Stevenage, a fourth division side. In contrast to the other market sessions, the management did not spend much in the window that has just closed. The departure of striker Ings – who moved to West Ham – for example, was not matched by any incoming movement.
Aston Villa have turned with Emery
Some have turned up their noses, but the board have clearly decided that the squad is fine the way it is, having shelled out €6million to free Emery from the Valencian club and secure an experienced international helmsman.
Rodgers
Aston Villa have one point less than Chelsea and Liverpool and are still in the running for a place in the next European cups. In this round they host a team in great difficulty such as Leicester, who avoided a resounding figure in the fourth round of the FA Cup in the week and in the challenge with Walsall were saved by a goal of the Nigerian striker Iheanacho. Brendan Rodgers’ men have barely scored a point in their last five Premier League games, and the relegation danger remains real.
The Prediction
Aston Villa are favourites in this fixture and there are many reasons why. The team has found itself with Emery in charge and the rise in the Premier League has been quite sudden. Leicester will struggle, but in our opinion they will not be able to break the winless streak. There have been plenty of goals at Villa Park lately and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they could both score.
Aston Villa-Leicester’s likely line-up
- ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Ramsey, Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.
- LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Kristiansen; Tielemans, Praet; Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes; Iheanacho.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
