Ruud van Nistelrooy has been warned that one Leicester City star could be targeted by their opponents this weekend.
Leicester are in desperate need of three points and make the short trip to the West Midlands to face Aston Villa.
The Foxes have lost their last four games and after Ipswich Town’s midweek win against Chelsea are 19th in the Premier League, two points adrift of safety.
Several Leicester stars impressed in the Manchester City defeat but it wasn’t to be and everyone will need to be on their A-game if they are to pick up a win at Villa Park.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 19 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 16 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 19 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 33 | -15 | 15 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 22 | 42 | -20 | 14 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 19 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 39 | -27 | 6 |
Matt Piper raises Victor Kristiansen concern ahead of Leicester’s must-win game
One of the biggest problems for Leicester this season has been their terrible defensive record.
Other than Wolves, who are level, no top flight side has conceded more goals (42) than the Foxes.
Victor Kristiansen has been a regular fixture in the back four, playing 17 times for Leicester this season.
Kristiansen had his best Leicester game against Liverpool and is still only 21, but has been caught out several times this season.
This is an issue that has concerned former Leicester man Matt Piper, who believes the Denmark international could be a player Villa look to exploit.
Speaking on Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast, he said: “I do like Victor Kristiansen. He is energetic, he has got all the passion and endeavour, he gets up and down the pitch – but he just lacks quality in certain situations, especially against top wingers.”
Leicester City injury news: Six set to miss Villa Park trip
In some more positive news for Van Nistelrooy, one player is set to return from a spell on the sidelines for Saturday’s game.
Wout Faes has struggled for Leicester and is yet to start a game under the current Foxes boss but has missed the last two games through injury.
Faes is reportedly edging closer to being back though and could be fit enough to be in contention at Villa Park.
- READ MORE: Leicester City transfer news and rumours as Ruud van Nistelrooy eyes defender tearing up Ligue 1
| Player | Availability |
| Jordan Ayew | Available |
| Wout Faes | Doubtful |
| Wilfred Ndidi | Doubtful/Unlikely |
| Mads Hermansen | Doubtful/Unlikely |
| Kasey McAteer | Doubtful/Unlikely |
| Ricardo Pereira | Out |
| Abdul Fatawu | Out |
Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are both long-term absentees and definitely ruled out whilst Wilfred Ndidi, Mads Hermansen and Kasey McAteer are major doubts.
Jordan Ayew missed the last game through suspension and will be back amongst the squad again.
Thankfully, the quartet of players at risk of a one-match suspension for collecting five yellow cards (Ndidi, Jannik Vestergaard, Jamie Vardy and Oliver Skipp all on four) can breathe a sigh of relief after the Man City game marked the halfway point of the season.
This means those cards are wiped and the threat of suspension is no longer there.