Football News

Leicester vs Aston Villa preview, predictions & confirmed line-ups

By Harry Edwards

Published: 19:00, 9 March 2020

After losing in the Carabao Cup final last weekend, Aston Villa’s attention must return to the Premier League and their match with Leicester City.

Villa lost 2-1 to Manchester City at Wembley but have no time to dwell on their defeat, with the Premier League relegation battle heating up.

Dean Smith’s side dropped into the relegation zone as a result of their inactivity in the league last weekend, sitting two points behind 17th-placed Watford, albeit with a game in hand.

Leicester also tasted defeat last weekend, losing to basement club Norwich City, the fourth league game in a row in which they have failed to win.

So, will someone end their winless run? Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and more.

When is Leicester vs Aston Villa and where can I watch live?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: King Power

Date: Monday, 9 March 2020

Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)

TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event

Last five meetings: Leicester vs Aston Villa

28 Jan 2020: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester (Carabao Cup)

08 Jan 2020: Leicester 1-1 Aston Villa (Carabao Cup)

08 Dec 2019: Aston Villa 1-4 Leicester (Premier League)

16 Jan 2016: Aston Villa 1-1 Leicester (Premier League)

13 Sep 2015: Leicester 3-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)

Aggregate Score: Leicester (LDWDW) 10-7 Aston Villa (WDLDL)

Ones to watch

Leicester: James Maddison

One of the many battles in Leicester’s game against Aston Villa on Monday will be a face-off between two England midfielders.

For Leicester, James Maddison has already been called up for the senior England squad and made his debut off the bench in England’s 7-0 win over Montenegro in November. Despite his good season so far, the 23-year-old has slightly tailed off of late, as Leicester go through a tough patch.

Maddison is still in with a chance for Euro 2020 but with England international friendlies coming at the end of the month, he will need to shine brighter than his opposition.

Key stat: Maddison has created 72 chances in the Premier League this season, recording three assists.

Aston Villa: Jack Grealish

Flying the English flag for Aston Villa is Jack Grealish, who many believe should have already earned an England call-up.

The midfielder previously represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level but made the switch before being capped at senior level, anticipating an England call. That hasn’t come yet but the 24-year-old is the biggest reason Aston Villa aren’t already adrift at the bottom of the league.

Grealish has the creativity, dribbling abilities and eye for a goal to make him a good all-round attacking midfielder for England who will be tough to stop legally.

Key stat: Grealish (122) has won more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Team news

Leicester City

Confirmed XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Justin; Ndidi, Praet, Maddison, Barnes, Albrighton; Iheanacho.

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Aston Villa

Confirmed XI: Reina; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Nakamba, Hourihane, Elmohamady; Samatta, Grealish.

Squawka prediction

Aston Villa emerged victorious last time these two sides met in the Carabao Cup semi-finals but neither team are in good form.

For Leicester, their FA Cup win over Birmingham in midweek was their first victory in five games while Villa have not won since beating the Foxes in the Carabao Cup, losing their past four matches.

But, with that said, Leicester may be buoyed by the Birmingham win and will look to build a run with another victory over a West Midlands side.

Scoreline prediction: Leicester 2-1 Aston Villa