Leicester vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

Champion of England to everyone's surprise in 2016, Leicester then fell into line to the point of being relegated to the lower tier in 2023. Fortunately, Jamies Vardy's teammates only needed one season to rediscover the joys of the elite. Dominators in the Championship last year, they won the title with 97 points taken in 46 matches. This year, Leicester has no other ambition than to maintain itself. The Foxes seem to have what it takes to achieve their objectives but the first two days have shown that nothing will be easy. They first stood up to Tottenham 1-1 in front of their fans before narrowly losing to Fulham last weekend 2-1. The main surprise of the previous year, Aston Villa has a new status to uphold.

Indeed, the Birmingham-based team finished 4th in the Premier League last year and will try to confirm this season. The task does not look easy with the succession of championship and Champions League matches. During the first day, the Villans met expectations by achieving a valuable success on the pitch of West Ham 1-2. Last weekend, however, they lost at home against the big name Arsenal 0-2. Still under the orders of Unai Emery, Aston Villa intends to play its card for European places. 

This weekend, we must mention the withdrawals of the important striker Daka, the number 2 goalkeeper Stolarczyk, the experienced defender Coady and the substitute Opoku. In addition, the full-back Thomas is uncertain. Despite his 37 springs, Vardy (18 goals in the Championship last year) remains a major element of Leicester. He also scored against Tottenham. Behind, the Belgian international Faes acts as a manager. During the off-season, Leicester was forced to let go of the excellent midfielder Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea).

In addition, defender Souttar (Sheffield United) and striker Iheanacho (Sevilla FC) also left the club while the experienced Praet and Albrighton were not retained. Conversely, defender Okoli (Atalanta), midfielders Skipp (Tottenham), Golding (Chelsea) and Buonanotte (Brighton) and attackers Fatawu (Sporting), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) and De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) came to strengthen the ranks of the Foxes. For Aston Villa, the coach still has to do without the usual starters Mings and Kamara, who are injured. Present with the Three Lions this summer at the Euro, Watkins is the Villans' major offensive asset. He did not score during the first 2 days unlike the rookie Onana and his replacement Duran.