EPL live: Leicester City vs Aston Villa match preview, predictions, and betting tips. Can Leicester overcome Villa’s strong away form in this Midlands derby?
Match Overview: Leicester City vs Aston Villa
In this highly anticipated Midlands derby, **Leicester City** will face **Aston Villa** at the King Power Stadium on **August 31, 2024**. Both teams enter the **EPL live** match eager to recover after recent Premier League losses. Leicester, still seeking their first win since returning to the top flight, hopes to leverage their home advantage. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, fresh off a solid opening win against West Ham, looks to regain momentum after a tough defeat to Arsenal.
Match Information
- Teams: Leicester City vs Aston Villa
- Date: August 31, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester
- TV Coverage:
- United Kingdom: BBC Radio 5 Live (not televised)
- United States**: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
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Leicester City: Key Analysis and Updates
Leicester City's return to the Premier League has been a mix of promise and challenge. Their hard-earned draw against Tottenham highlighted their resilience, but their attack has struggled to deliver in their recent loss to Fulham. Manager Steve Cooper has worked to strengthen the squad, with new signings like Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks impressing in their recent Carabao Cup win over Tranmere Rovers.
However, Leicester's lack of creativity in attack is a concern. With Jamie Vardy leading the line and Patson Daka out due to injury, they'll need to be sharper in the final third. The transfer rumors surrounding Wout Faes could also affect their defense, making it an area for Aston Villa to exploit.
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Aston Villa: Team Insights and Form
Aston Villa had a bright start to the season with a win over West Ham, but their 3-0 loss to Arsenal has raised questions about consistency. Ollie Watkins, Villa's star forward, has yet to hit top form this season, and Unai Emery will be looking to improve both their attack and defense. The absence of Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara due to injuries is a significant blow to Villa’s defensive stability.
Still, Villa's attacking depth remains their greatest strength. With a lineup that can dominate possession and create chances, they’ll aim to expose Leicester's vulnerabilities, especially on the counter.
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Key Players to Watch
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy: Leicester’s talisman remains crucial to their attack. With Daka sidelined, Vardy’s goal-scoring ability will be key in this fixture.
Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins: Villa’s primary striker will need to step up. If Watkins can convert his chances, he could tip the game in Villa’s favor.
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Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Side
Leicester City
Strengths: Leicester thrives on their counter-attacking ability and set-piece opportunities, which could be key in breaking down Villa’s defense.
Weaknesses: Their lack of fluidity in open play and recent defensive uncertainties—especially with the transfer speculation around Wout Faes—could be exploited by Villa.
Aston Villa
Strengths: Villa's strength lies in their attacking depth and midfield control, enabling them to maintain pressure and dictate the game’s tempo.
Weaknesses: Villa’s defense has been vulnerable, having conceded in every Premier League match so far. The absence of key defenders could leave them exposed to Leicester’s counters.
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Recent Head-to-Head History
Over the last five meetings between these two sides, Aston Villa and Leicester City have each claimed two wins, with one draw. Villa came out on top in their most recent encounter at the King Power Stadium in April 2023, with a 2-1 victory.
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Match Prediction
Both teams are looking to bounce back from losses, but Aston Villa appears to have the edge, especially with their strong away performances under Unai Emery. While Leicester’s counter-attacking prowess could pose a threat, Villa’s superior attacking options and midfield strength make them the likely winners.
Prediction: Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa.
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Best Betting Tips for Leicester City vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa to win: Given Leicester’s current struggles in open play, Villa is favored to secure a victory.
Both Teams to Score – No: Leicester's attacking issues and Villa’s defensive focus make this a viable bet.
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Conclusion
The Leicester City vs Aston Villa clash promises an exciting encounter in this Midlands derby. Both teams have points to prove, and the outcome could be decided by Villa’s attacking strength or Leicester's counter-attacking ability. As always, stay tuned to the EPL live for the latest updates and results.
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