Aston Villa are seeking to win three successive meetings with Leicester for the first time in 19 years, but the Foxes have won three of their last four Premier League visits to Villa Park, seeking back-to-back victories there, across all competitions, for the first time since 1969, most-recently achieving this 138 days after the Moon Landing.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City Preview
2024 was an ultra-successful year for Aston Villa, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades, most-notably, so far, beating Bayern Munich in October, but what will 2025 bring? To conclude last year, Unai Emery's team won only one of their final four league games, smashed 3-0 by Newcastle on Boxing Day, before a frustrating 2-2 draw with Brighton on Monday night.
Despite falling behind early, goals from Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and then Morgan Rogers seemingly had the Claret and Blue Army set to collect three points, only for the Seagulls to strike back nine minutes from time. Prior to this setback, Villa had won three successive home league games, but are down in ninth, albeit a mere three points adrift Newcastle in fifth, so can they collect three important points in this all-Midlands affair?
Leicester City meantime kick off in the relegation zone, dropping down to 19th earlier this week, desperately needing to stop the rot. Ruud van Nistelrooy's side will make the 37-mile journey west following four successive defeats, shipping 12 goals across these matches, most-recently beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at the King Power on Sunday, squandering numerous gilt-edged chances.
Back in early-December, van Nistelrooy collected four points from his first two matches in charge, but this is looking more and more like an outlier, with the Foxes losing their other seven fixtures either-side of that mini-upturn, winning only once across their last 11 outings. Leicester are winless in 17 Premier League away games, four different managers have taken charge of these fixtures, their most-recent top-flight road win, coming on 4 February 2023, a thrilling 4-2 victory at Villa Park; how Foxes fans everywhere would love a repeat scoreline on Saturday.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 109.
- Aston Villa Wins: 38. Draws: 26. Leicester City Wins: 45.
Aston Villa Team News
Morgan Rogers is suspended, having collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign, while Jhon Durán is serving the second of his three-match ban, following his sending off on Boxing Day. Given the absence of both, it was a major boost to Unai Emery's attacking options that Jacob Ramsey came off the bench against Brighton, his first appearance since 9 November due to a metatarsal.
At the back however, Pau Torres suffered a nasty-looking foot injury on Monday, with the Spaniard set for weeks on the sidelines, meaning Tyrone Mings could start a league game for just the second time this season. However, Matty Cash can return from a one-match suspension at right-back, making Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos the most-likely centre-back pairing. After being left on the bench earlier this week, it'll be interesting to see if Amadou Onana returns to midfield for this clash.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Leicester City: (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Diego Carlos, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey, Ramsey; Watkins.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs Leicester City
Back in the starting lineup due to Durán's suspension, Ollie Watkins slotting home his eighth of the season on Monday, so will he find the target here, having netted home and away against Leicester in 2022/23?
Leicester City Team News
Jakub Stolarczyk will start a third successive match in goal, with Mads Hermansen still out due to a groin injury while, out field, Wout Faes, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew are all currently sidelined too. Jannik Vestergaard alongside Conor Coady continues to be Ruud van Nistelrooy's first-choice centre-back pairing, chosen over Caleb Okoli, while Facundo Buonanotte is likely to keep his place out-wide, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid once again left in reserve.
Leicester City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (5-3-2): Stolarczyk; Justin, Vestergaard, Coady, Kristiansen; Soumaré, Winks, Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.
Leicester City Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
Jamie Vardy, despite the fact we're a week away from his 38th birthday, continues to be Leicester's talisman, scoring six times so far this season, while he's previously netted on five occasions against Aston Villa, albeit the most-recent of these came on 9 March 2020, made infamous for being the final Premier League game before lockdown, bagging a brace in both meetings during that campaign.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City Prediction
We're confident that Aston Villa will be victorious in this one. Emery's team are unbeaten in 12 home games across the Premier League and Champions League, winning seven of them, while Leicester have lost six out of nine on the road, with the Foxes shipping three or more goals seven times in their last 14 outings including in each of their last four on the road: Aston Villa 3-1 Leicester City.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Aston Villa vs Leicester City Premier League game on TV channel?
Aston Villa vs Leicester City Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 4 Canada
How to watch Aston Villa vs Leicester City Premier League game on live streaming?
Aston Villa vs Leicester City Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs Leicester City in the Premier League?
Aston Villa vs Leicester City takes place on Saturday 4 January 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (EDT) & 7:00 (PST).