Villama Preview: Leicester City v Aston Villa

The build-up...

With Aston Villa bathing in the glory of a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge and a top half standing in the table, things could not be more different in the East Midlands.

Leicester City currently sit 19th in the table with 25 points; they’ve also just let go of Brendan Rodgers. That’s a troubling place to be in, but Villa, with a 9th place standing and 41 points, look primed to take advantage. Leicester’s recent performances have been indicative of their current standing, losing at home to Chelsea 3-1, managing a draw at Brentford Community Stadium against the Bees, and most recently losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

James Maddison in midfield is one to look out for both on the pitch and maybe over the summer?

Last time we met at the King Power Stadium...

Aston Villa were without a win in the Premier League since their visit to Leeds United on March 10th, 2022 and the stalemate against Leicester City was the club’s first draw away from home since their visit to Newcastle United on March 12th, 2021.

The line-up...

For Villa this week, you could presume that there won’t be any changes and you will probably be right. Boubacar Kamara was subbed off early last week, so there may be some reason to suspect a change, but I doubt it. In goal, we’ll once again see Emi Martinez, with Alex Moreno at left-back, Ashley Young in for the injured Matty Cash at right-back, and a Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konza center-back partnership.

In holding midfield is the aforementioned Boubacar Kamara, with Douglas Luiz while Jacob Ramsey flanks to the left and the currently sensational John McGinn to the right. Ollie Watkins, no slouch himself, will play up front while Emi Buendia starts in the number 10 position. If there is any issue with Kamara, expect McGinn to fill in while Leon Bailey takes position on the right.

Score prediction...

This has the makings of a “trap game”. Aston Villa are coming off a huge away victory over Chelsea with a quick turnaround and Leicester are seemingly done for and only just fired Brendan Rodgers on Sunday. It’s the kind of match that lesser teams will occasionally walk into overconfident and end up with egg on their face, but I don’t see this for Villa. I do think they ride the momentum from Saturday with an emphatic 3-1 victory!

Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images