Leicester City vs Aston Villa preview, predictions & possible XIs
Leicester City host Aston Villa in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.
The Foxes are looking to reach their first final since 2000 when, under Martin O’Neill, they won the cup for the time.
Villa, meanwhile, are five-time champions but their last success came in 1996 at Leeds United’s expense, most recently losing the 2010 final to Manchester United.
Read on for our Leicester City v Aston Villa preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Leicester City vs Aston Villa and where can I watch live?
Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: King Power Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 08 January 2020
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event
Last five meetings: Leicester City vs Aston Villa
08 December 2019: Aston Villa 1-4 Leicester City (Premier League)
16 January 2016: Aston Villa 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
13 September 2015: Leicester City 3-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
15 February 2015: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City (FA Cup)
10 January 2015: Leicester City 1-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Leicester City (WDWLW) 10-6 Aston Villa (LDLWL)
Ones to watch
Leicester City: James Maddison
Maddison has undoubtedly built on his breakthrough season and now stands as one of the Foxes’ most instrumental players. After going through a drought in front of goal, he’s rediscovered his finishing touch, but it’s his ability to regularly create chances that makes him invaluable to Brendan Rodgers.
Key stat: James Maddison has scored three goals across three Carabao Cup appearances this season.
Aston Villa: Jack Grealish
It seems with each passing week Jack Grealish’s importance for Villa’s cause grows. He will again be the one they turn to as Dean Smith seeks a final berth and put recent disappointing performances – including a FA Cup third round exit at the hands of Fulham – behind them.
Key stat: Jack Grealish is Aston Villa’s leading scorer in all competitions this season (eight goals).
Team news
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy is a doubt after sustaining a calf strain but manager Brendan Rodgers is confident his leading marksman will be available for selection this week. Elsewhere it should be the club’s strongest lineup though Harvey Barnes and Dennis Praet are pushing for starts.
Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi; Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Gray; Vardy.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Aston Villa
Dean Smith received bad news when it was confirmed goalkeeper Tom Heaton and record signing Wesley were ruled out for the remainder of this season after both picked up serious knee injuries. Örjan Nyland and Jonathan Kodjia are expected to continue in their absence, with Jack Grealish also returning after sitting out of the FA Cup defeat to Fulham.
Predicted XI: Nyland; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Taylor; Trezeguet, Kodjia, Grealish.
Squawka prediction
The form book suggests nothing less than a home win and few would back against the Foxes from taking a commanding lead to Villa Park for the second leg. Villa have already been humbled by Rodgers’ men this season and that could be preying on their minds, especially as they go into this game on the back of a FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Fulham.