Leicester City face their first challenge of 2025 as they travel to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Leicester ended 2024 on a sour note. Three straight defeats and nine goals conceded saw Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men drop into the relegation zone after Wolves collected seven points from nine.
It’s handed the Dutchman a huge task to keep his side in the top flight, with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer predicting Leicester to be relegated.
That being said, perhaps their assessment of the Foxes is harsh, as Pep Guardiola was impressed by Leicester in their 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
Now, van Nistelrooy’s men must use their improved performance as a springboard to collect a positive result at Villa Park.
- READ MORE: How to watch Aston Villa vs Leicester City: TV channel, live stream, team news and kick-off time
Leicester City team and injury news ahead of Aston Villa
Aston Villa are the hosts in this clash and they’ve only collected one win in their last four matches in all competitions – a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
Their most notable piece of team news is Morgan Rogers being suspended after the Englishman picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out.
Leicester, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of Jordan Ayew, who was suspended for the defeat against the champions.
In much more negative news, though, van Nistelrooy will be without five of his Leicester players this weekend, including goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who faces another couple of weeks out.
The Danish shot-stopper is joined by Wilfred Ndidi, Kasey McAteer, Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu on the physio bench while Wout Faes is close to a return.
Leicester City predicted XI vs Aston Villa
Leicester are stretched for real difference-makers in the squad but van Nistelrooy could make at least one change to the side that lost to Man City.
Facundo Buonanotte could drop to the bench for the returning Ayew, who scored the opener against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
The Ghanaian is finally showing why Steve Cooper brought him to the club in the summer, and he deserves to take back his spot in the starting XI.
Aside from that, it’s difficult to see where else van Nistelrooy could change his lineup. Leicester’s links to Man United’s Harry Amass could suggest Victor Kristiansen could be walking on thin ice.
Meanwhile, Leicester have also been linked with Kyle Walker-Peters, who would be a huge upgrade on James Justin.
So, until new signings are made and other players return, it’s looking like a similar team to the one that lost on Sunday with Ayew the only change.
Leicester predicted XI vs Aston Villa: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; Ayew, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.