Leicester's Jamie Vardy has three goals and an assist in his last five Premier League appearances
Barclays Premier League
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Venue: King Power Stadium Date: Sunday, 13 September |
TEAM NEWS
Leicester's Riyad Mahrez was forced off against Bournemouth with a back injury but the winger proved his fitness by playing for Algeria.
Summer signing Gokhan Inler will hope to make his first Premier League start.
Aston Villa will monitor Jack Grealish, who could return from an ankle injury, while Gabby Agbonlahor is fit after recovering from illness.
Idrissa Gana is doubtful with a hamstring problem and Adama Traore's ankle injury will also be assessed.
New signing Joleon Lescott is available to make his debut but Tiago Ilori lacks match fitness.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
Simon Brotherton: "Leicester have picked up where they left off at the end of last season, which means a potentially difficult afternoon for Aston Villa in what is likely to be a feisty and atmospheric game between these Midlands rivals.
"Villa won two of the three meetings last season – but there was only one goal between the sides in each of those games.
"Tim Sherwood's remodelled Villa squad will need time to blend and he's waiting on the fitness of key players ahead of this one.
"Leicester, in contrast, have greater continuity, with Claudio Ranieri wisely choosing not to tinker too much as he settles into his new job."
Twitter: @SimonBrotherton
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri: "It's important we restart with the right mentality. From Sunday, we start with zero points and give our best.
"Aston Villa lost some good players in the summer, but signed some good ones too. They have a good team."
Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood: "It's hard to win football matches in the Premier League.
"I can't tell you how euphoric you feel when you watch the referee put that whistle in his mouth when you're winning a game. It's an amazing feeling.
"As a manager you're carrying all the expectations of all the fans and the players. That's why you're so disappointed when you get matches like Sunderland where you don't get what you deserve. That's the nature of this game."
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri deserves some credit for his approach but he has probably realised he is in charge of a very good team, one that should be thinking about a top-half finish. Aston Villa are also making progress under Tim Sherwood but they are taking baby steps at the moment, and I am backing Leicester to beat them.
Lawro's full predictions v Mark Webber
- Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Leicester have lost only one of nine Premier League home games against Aston Villa (W4, D4).
- However, the Foxes have claimed just one win in their last five top-flight meetings (D1, L3).
- Last season's two Premier League games produced a total of three red cards – for Leicester's Matt James and Paul Konchesky and Villa's Ciaran Clark.
Leicester City
- Leicester have scored 37 Premier League goals in 2015. Prior to the latest round of matches, only Manchester City (52), Arsenal (40) and Chelsea (38) had netted more.
- They have drawn their last two Premier League matches. The last time they drew three successive top-flight games was in February 2004.
- The Foxes have netted three headed goals this season – a division-high prior to this weekend.
- Jamie Vardy has three goals and an assist in his last five Premier League appearances.
Aston Villa
- Villa have conceded a total of 11 goals in their last four away league games (W1, L3).
- Tim Sherwood's win percentage as a Premier League manager has fallen below 50% for the first time – it is now 48.7%. A win on Sunday will see it return to 50%.
- Scott Sinclair has scored five goals in his last two league and cup appearances.