Leicester City vs Aston Villa
8th January 2000hrs
Football – England –EFL Cup
Pick Leicester win/over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 5/6 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 7 January)
These two teams are at opposite end of the Premier League but know they are only two games away from an appearance at Wembley. Will Leicester succeed or can Villa spring a surprise?
Leicester City Preview – Will the Foxes’ excellent season continue as they go in search of a cup final appearance?
Brendan Rodgers will complete a year as Leicester boss come the beginning of March but his impact on the club has already been significant. The Foxes sit second in the Premier League and in with a huge chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. That would arguably surpass their expectations for Rodgers first full season in charge but he and his team have taken advantage of the underperformance of some of the traditional big six. A lot of people may expect Leicester to focus on securing a top four finish but Rodgers is keen to target both cup competitions and attempt to win a trophy.
Leicester made it through to the next round of the FA Cup by virtue of a routine win over Wigan but they have been tested en route to the last four of the EFL Cup. Leicester needed penalties to defeat Newcastle and Everton, either side of comfortable wins against Luton and Burton. All four of their ties so far have been away from home so this will be a welcome change. As a club, this competition has fond memories with wins in 1998 and 2000 under Martin O’Neill. Can Rodgers emulate his countrymen’s achievements?!
Aston Villa Preview – Can Villa put FA Cup disappointment behind them and get a result to take into the home leg with them?
There was huge optimism surrounding Aston Villa following their playoff victory and winning promotion last season. A host of new faces were brought in, for substantial fees, and it increased belief that they would be competitive at this level. Now, at the halfway point, there’s been a sort of reality check – for the supporters at least. Villa find themselves just outside the relegation zone but will be encouraged by the win and manner of performance against Burnley on New Year’s Day. The win came at a cost, though, as Wesley and Tom Heaton are likely to be out for the remainder of the campaign. Dean Smith does at least have the option and resources to find replacements for them this month.
It was disappointment for Villa at the weekend when exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Fulham. Overall, that may not be a huge blow as they look to survive in the Premier League and with injuries now kicking in. Smith is expected to field a full strength team for this tie as his team find themselves at the semi-final stage. An annihilation of a very young Liverpool side in the previous round has set them up for this and they are potentially 180 minutes away from a final at Wembley.
Key-Facts – Leicester City vs Aston Villa
- It’s been a great season so far for Leicester who sit second in the league and will be aiming to reach their first final since 2000
- Villa will be looking to bounce back following defeat in the third round of the FA Cup to Championship opposition on Saturday
- Brendan Rodgers’ men were far too good when the sides met at Villa Park in the League, running out 4-1 winners
Leicester City vs Aston Villa Betting Advice
Leicester were emphatic winners when these teams met in the league at Villa Park back in December. A 4-1 win that day was well deserved and it serves as a warning to Dean Smith’s men that they will have to defend much better in order to remain in the tie going into the second leg later month. It would have been a bit ask for Villa to come here and get a positive result when they are at full strength. The fact they are without so many key players means Leicester are huge favourites to get a first leg lead.
Liverpool are the only team to have won at the King Power Stadium this season and it’s hard to see that changing tomorrow against an opponent who have won only once on their travels. In order to boost the odds, take a home win and over 2.5 goals. 12 out of Villa’s 14 away games have had at least three goals in them.
