Aston Villa’s tendency to concede late goals has been a persistent issue under Unai Emery, a trend he’s eager to reverse as the new year unfolds. Despite a missed opportunity against Brighton on Monday, Villa has another chance to rectify their recent performances with an upcoming match at Villa Park against a team struggling near the bottom of the table.
Match Info
- Premier League Matchday 20 of 38
- Saturday 4th January 2025 10:00 EST / 15:00 GMT
- Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
While the absence of Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran poses challenges, Ollie Watkins’ consistent performances ensure that Villa’s attack remains potent. Emery faces difficulties in finding a suitable replacement for Rogers, yet the squad maintains a robust outlook and is set to take on a faltering Leicester City.
Under the new management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester showed initial promise but has struggled defensively, suffering four consecutive defeats. Although they managed to challenge Manchester City, troubling the defending champions is something many teams manage when they play aggressively.
As Leicester prepares to face a Villa side that performs notably better at home, they encounter a team that thrives in the support of its home crowd, frequently creating numerous scoring opportunities. Aston Villa, buoyed by their home advantage, aims to extend Leicester’s streak of losses, potentially defeating them by a margin of at least two goals, a feat achieved by the previous four Premier League teams hosting Leicester.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery expressed satisfaction with Aston Villa’s performance in their last outing, despite a late equaliser from Brighton resulting in a 2-2 draw and a missed opportunity to secure full points. As the new year begins, Emery is hopeful that his squad hasn’t overly indulged in the festivities, with an important Midlands derby on the horizon—a match that could edge Villa closer to the coveted top four in the Premier League standings.
Currently six points shy of a Champions League berth at the season’s midpoint, Emery is optimistic about closing that gap in the second half of the season, eyeing another stint in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. With a home record of five wins, four draws, and one loss, converting draws into wins at Villa Park could be key to gaining the momentum needed for a top-four challenge.
Villa’s recent form shows just one win in their last four Premier League matches, including a couple of losses that have hampered their ascent. They had secured three consecutive victories at home before the draw against Brighton.
In team news, Matty Cash returns to the squad, providing a boost. However, Pau Torres is doubtful after suffering a recent injury. Additionally, the absence of two key forwards, Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran, both suspended, could pose challenges in maintaining their attacking threat.
Leicester City
Ruud van Nistelrooy, amidst Leicester City’s recent struggles, hopes to strengthen his squad with a couple of new signings to boost their survival bid in the Premier League. Despite a valiant effort, Leicester fell to a 0-2 defeat against Manchester City in their final league match of 2024, a result that has underscored the formidable challenges they face as they hover near the relegation zone.
As the New Year approaches, Leicester finds themselves in 19th place, just two points adrift of safety and Wolves, who sit in 17th. The Foxes are set to travel to Villa Park, where they carry a disappointing away record of one win, two draws, and six losses in the league.
Leicester’s recent form paints a grim picture; they have not secured a win in their last five Premier League outings and have endured four consecutive defeats. Furthermore, they have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last nine league matches and are on a four-game losing streak in away fixtures.
There is some positive news on the player front—Jordan Ayew returns from suspension, bolstering the attack, while midfield stalwarts Wilfred Ndidi and Wout Faes are battling to overcome minor injuries in time for the upcoming match.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Aston Villa to Win
Aston Villa are poised to capitalise on their home advantage and Leicester City’s poor away record. With Villa’s recent performances showing potential, especially at Villa Park, and Leicester struggling defensively on the road, the odds favor Villa. Despite missing key players, Aston Villa have shown resilience and depth in their squad, suggesting they can overcome these challenges. Leicester, on the other hand, has not won in their last five matches and continues to concede goals frequently. Given these factors, Aston Villa is likely to secure a win, boosting their pursuit of a top-four finish and deepening Leicester’s relegation worries.
America Bet Score Prediction
Aston Villa 2 – 0 Leicester City
Aston Villa is expected to take full advantage of Leicester City’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly given Leicester’s record of conceding at least twice in the majority of their recent Premier League games. With Villa Park as the backdrop, where Aston Villa has been notably stronger, and Leicester’s continual struggle in away matches, a clean sheet for Villa seems probable. The return of Matty Cash could also provide additional stability and attacking options for Villa, increasing their likelihood of a solid win against a Leicester side that has lost its last four away fixtures without much resistance.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Aston Villa to win.
- Over 1.5 goals for Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa to keep a clean sheet.
- Leicester City to concede at least 2 goals.
- Total match goals over 2.5.
- First goal scorer: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
- Aston Villa to win both halves.
- Total corners over 10.5 for the match.
- Aston Villa to have more shots on target.
- Both teams to score – No.
