MY ACCOUNT
– Aston Villa have won five and lost one of their last seven Premier League away matches
– Leicester have claimed just one point from their last six league outings
– Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win
It is two months since Leicester left Aston Villa with a 4-2 victory, but the teams’ fortunes could not have been more contrasting since.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace meant the Foxes had just a draw at Brentford to show for their last six matches and this signalled the end for manager Brendan Rodgers, who left his role on Sunday.
It was a result that left Leicester second from bottom in the table and coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell have to ensure they do not fall further into trouble.
Villa, meanwhile, continue to get stronger under Unai Emery and chalked up another successful away day when they beat Chelsea 2-0 on Saturday, that win taking them ninth and keeping them in contention for a European finish.
Team news
Jonny Evans and Dennis Praet missed the defeat at Selhurst Park but there is hope the extra couple of days rest will see them in with a shout of being involved.
Youri Tielemans, James Justin and Ryan Bertrand are all out and it will be interesting to see what happens to defender Jannik Vestergaard, who fell out with Rodgers a few weeks ago after complaining about his lack of playing time.
Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho are out for Villa but it would be a huge surprise if Emery made a host of changes following such a good result at Chelsea.
The stats
Villa were a soft touch on the road under former manager Steven Gerrard, but Emery has turned their away form around and they have won five of their last seven on their travels – their only defeat in that run came at Manchester City.
The Villans have also conceded just one goal in their last five games and that was a penalty in a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
No team has posted fewer draws than Leicester’s tally of four and Villa have had only five stalemates.
Bottom side Southampton are the only team to have won fewer home games than the Foxes, who have tasted King Power success just three times this term, while they have also lost five of their last seven on their own patch.
Prediction
Leicester have been in freefall for weeks and it is little surprise that Rodgers has departed as they have slumped from mid-table into the thick of the relegation battle.
The Foxes have had their moments and will be desperate for England midfielder James Maddison to spark them into life, but this looks a really tough game so it could get worse before it gets better.
Villa became unconcerned about relegation a while ago but European football is now a realistic target and they are much stronger on the road these days.
Having posted wins at Brighton, Tottenham and now Chelsea in the last couple of months, a trip to the King Power is unlikely to intimidate them and they should claim another three points against the strugglers.
Back Aston Villa to win at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet.
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