Leicester City are in relegation danger, as they prepare for a trip to Villa Park on Saturday to play Aston Villa.
The Foxes go into matchday 22 just one point above the relegation zone. Brendan Rodgers' team had moved away from danger but since the FIFA World Cup break, Leicester City have slipped back into a relegation battle.
The finish of an in-form striker. 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZrkAA5odU1— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 2, 2023
The finish of an in-form striker. 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZrkAA5odU1
Aston Villa are 11th in the league and are in no danger of relegation currently. The Villains are on a four-match unbeaten streak in the league and just three points off the top six. The fight for the European qualification places in midtable is intense with five teams all within three points of sixth place.
Last season, Aston Villa took four points from six off Leicester City. The Villains won 2-1 at home and went to the King Power Stadium for a nil-nil draw.
Unai Emery’s team is in form, as it took 13 points from the last six games in the league. Villa scored nine times across those six games and conceded just six times. The team is unbeaten in back-to-back matches at Villa Park, where they have an overall record of 5W-2D-3L in the league this campaign.
Leicester picked up just four points from the last 18 points on offer. Goals were a struggle, as only five were scored while the defence conceded 10 times. Leicester do not play well on the road and are on a two-game losing streak away from the King Power Stadium.
Rodgers’ defence has been beaten and battered all season. He signed centre-back Harry Souttar from Stoke City at the end of the transfer deadline to relieve some of the pressure on the defence. Souttar will be making a big step up in competition, especially with Leicester fighting relegation.
Several Leicester defenders will miss the game due to injuries. James Justin, Jonny Evans, Ricardo Pereira, and Ryan Bertrand are all ruled out of the game.
Jamie Vardy could miss the game with a gluteal injury, but Wilfried Ndidi could be passed fit. Boubakary Soumare is ruled out of action with a thigh issue.
Emery will once again be without defender Diego Carlos due to a calf problem. Midfielder John McGinnis is ruled out with a thigh issue, and goalkeeper Jed Steer has a calf injury. Full-back Lucas Digne is unlikely to make the squad following a shoulder injury.
Aston Villa are in good form, while Leicester City are limping in the league. The Villains should post a 2-1 home win, just like they did last season, as the pressure mounts on Leicester City’s Premier League survival hopes.