EPL – Match Preview – Leicester City v Aston Villa

EPL – Match Preview – Leicester City v Aston Villa

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The King Power Stadium is the venue for tonight’s Midlands derby between Leicester City and Aston Villa – an exciting prospect following the international break.

The Foxes will be hoping that the time-off will not halt their early season momentum, currently sitting third on the Premier League table. During that time, the club had an impressive 14 players called up for their respective countries.

Aston Villa have started this season reasonably well, however, consistency has been an issue for them. Having one win, one draw and two defeats reflects their hit-and-miss form, while the Villains would no doubt feel they should have held on for a win against a fast-finishing Sunderland in their last outing.

Throughout the recent history of this fixture, it is rare that the Foxes would have started such significant favourites – however, anything can happen in a derby.

Key Battle – Ciaran Clark and Micah Richards v Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy

In Micah Richards and Ciaran Clark, Aston Villa have a very good central-pairing.

Manager Tim Sherwood has indicated a potential to move to a back three following the signing of Joleon Lescott, however, that may not eventuate in this fixture, due to a need to adapt at training as well as the counter-attacking prowess possessed by Leicester.

With this in mind, expect Richards and Clark to start this week, having their work cut out for Leicester’s hitmen. Both Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy have been in terrific form, and both have scored for their countries over the break.

Richards, in particular, will need to exercise all of his leadership qualities in nullifying the Leicester duo.

Team News

Leicester City, with the exception of Matthew James due to his ACL injury, have a full compliment of players to choose from for this fixture, which is always a bonus when so many leave for national duty. There is a slight doubt over Riyad Mahrez, who is carrying a minor back complaint.

Manager Claudio Ranieri has indicated that Gokhan Inler may be ready to start, following on from his substitute appearance last game. N’Golo Kante was impressive against Bournemouth and may retain his starting spot against Villa.

The Foxes tinkered with a 4-3-3 last week, but after reverting back to the 4-4-2 formation that has served them so well, they instantly looked better. Expect Ranieri to start with his favoured formation once more

Aston Villa, in stark contrast, have seven players injured leading in to this game. Of those names, Idrissa Gueye is highly unlikely following his hamstring injury, however, Jack Grealish (ankle), Gabriel Agbonlahor (illness) and Adama Traore (calf) will face late fitness tests.

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Head-to-Head

Of the 81 times the two Midlands clubs have met, Leicester have won 33, Villa 27 with 21 draws.

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Previous meeting

The previous encounter between these two was in the FA Cup last season, with Villa prevailing 2-1 at home. In the league, in was Leicester who were victorious in the 1-0 result, a game which saw one red card apiece.

Prediction

Expect this match to go down to the wire. Leicester will start strongly, but with so many players returning from various corners of the globe, they may tire late allowing Villa to finish the stronger of the two sides.

Leicester City 1 Aston Villa 1

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