Villa go into this away clash at Leicester in great shape.
Indeed, for most supporters, the 7-2 demolition of Premier League champions Liverpool remains fresh in the mind.
Whilst Jack Grealish was inexplicably snubbed by Gareth Southgate for England’s Nations League games, this does mean our marquee man came through the international break unscathed.
Further, Tyrone Mings saw himself get game time and John McGinn was widely heralded for his performances representing Scotland.
A visit to Leicester will require Villa to be as clinical as we saw against Liverpool, but ensuring that defensively we remain tight. Few will have forgotten Rodgers’ side running rampant at Villa Park last term – nor the 4-0 drubbing that would prove to be the final game before lockdown.
Whilst it’s important to keep a sense of perspective given Villa’s early season form, it’s hard not to feel enticed by the prospect of a win sending us second…and with a game in hand.
KEY FACTS
- Leicester have beaten Villa 4 out of the last 5 PL encounters.
- We have fared poorly when away from home, winning just 1 in 11 against Leicester.
- If Villa were to win, it would be the first time since 1930/31 that we’ve won our 1st 4 fixtures.
- Vardy is an injury doubt – he’s scored 5 goals against Villa in the last 4 meetings.
- Grealish has either scored or assisted 7 goals in the last 4 games.
- Watkins has scored more goals than any other striker since the start of last season (top 2 tiers).
- Vardy, Evans, Praet and Maddison are doubts for Leicester.
- Heaton and Wesley aren’t available for Dean Smith. Hause is 50/50.
- Leicester Form: WWWL
- Aston Villa Form: WWW
- Kick Off Time: 19:15PM [GMT]
- The fixture is available to watch via Pay Per View – a decision that The Villa Underground strongly opposes. You will not be able to view the game via any existing Sky, BTSports or NowTV subscriptions. The fee to watch just 90 minutes of football is £14.95.
VILLA TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa starting XI to face Leicester City this evening:
GK – Martinez
DEF – Konsa
DEF – Cash
DEF – Mings
DEF – Targett
MID – Douglas-Luiz
MID – McGinn
MID – Trezeguet
MID – Barkley
MID – Grealish (Captain)
ATT – Watkins
On The Bench:
Steer, Elmohamady, Engels, Nakamba, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Traore.
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