As the new year kicks off, Leicester City are set to face a crunch match against Midland rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park. The clash, scheduled for January 4, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. GMT, is crucial for both teams but for very different reasons.
Leicester City, currently struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table, are desperate for points to avoid relegation. The Foxes come into this game on a troubling streak, having lost their last four games. Under the leadership of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the team showed glimpses of their resilience but ultimately faltered, conceding a staggering 13 goals during this dismal run. As they prepare to face Villa, the Foxes are in dire need of a turnaround to revive their survival hopes.
On the other hand, Aston Villa aim to climb the table. A win against Leicester could propel them into the top five, putting them in contention for European competition next season. Currently in ninth place, Villa are just three points behind fifth-placed Newcastle. Although they are a talented team, they have not been as dominant as last season. They will look to capitalize on Leicester’s woes and secure a vital three points.
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Match Details
Date: January 4, 2024
Time: 15:00 GMT
Location: Villa Park, Birmingham
Team News
In terms of injuries, Aston Villa will be missing Pau Torres, who is the only player on their injury list. Additionally, Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers are suspended and will not participate in the match.
Leicester City, however, faces a bigger challenge with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Ricardo Pereira, Mads Hermansen, Wout Faes, Wilfred Ndidi and Abdul Fatawu are all unavailable, leaving Van Nistelrooy with limited options as he prepares his team for this critical encounter.
Match Preview
Leicester City’s journey in the Premier League has been tumultuous since promotion. Initially, the team seemed on the path to survival under the leadership of Steve Cooper. However, recent performances have raised alarm bells. The Foxes have suffered four defeats in a row, including a painful home defeat to relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. This unfortunate sequence saw them fall behind in the race to safety, as their competitors began to rack up crucial points.
The current disarray within the Leicester camp presents an opportunity for Aston Villa. The Villans, known for their attacking prowess, will aim to exploit Leicester’s vulnerabilities. Despite Villa’s defensive problems (31 goals conceded make them the leakiest team in the first half of the league), they have a formidable attack that can capitalize on any errors made by their opponents.
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Leicester City’s defensive struggles have been well documented, as they have conceded the most goals in the league with 42. This match will test their resolve, especially as they prepare to face a team de Villa keen to push for a European place. While Villa will go into the match as favourites, Leicester must remain hopeful that they can secure at least a point to keep their survival dreams alive. Another defeat could see them drop five points to safety, putting immense pressure on Van Nistelrooy to conjure a miracle.
Predicted starting lineups
Leicester City:
Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
Defenders: James Justin, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen
Midfield: Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss
Forwards: Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy, Stephy Mavididi
Villa Aston:
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne
Midfield: Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn
Forwards: Leon Bailey, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Ollie Watkins
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Aston Villa are aiming to consolidate their position in the top half of the table, while Leicester City are fighting for survival in the Premier League. Fans can expect an intense encounter as two Midlands rivals go head-to-head in what promises to be an exciting start to 2025.