Team news confirmed and XI predicted

Aston Villa host Midlands rivals Leicester City next weekend. The two clubs have had different fortunes in recent times. On the one hand, the Foxes have seen a decline in recent years. The King Power team is also battling the threat of relegation this season. While the Villans enjoy a better contemporary standard. They qualified for the most prestigious European competition: the Champions League.

And, of course, it is well documented that the Birmingham team finished fourth in the 2023/24 Premier League, which was the previous season. Nonetheless, Villa have struggled to maintain their progression in the top flight while balancing their progress in the UCL. Unai Emery will also be without some important players on Saturday, such as Jhon Duran.

After taking all of this into account, do we think Leicester have a chance at Villa Park? Which other AVFC stars are suspended or injured? How does the LCFC workforce look in 2025? And what will Ruud van Nistelrooy’s eleven look like? Let’s get straight to the point!

First of all, Villan Pau Torres will probably be unavailable for selection for around eight weeks. During a competition against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Spaniard broke a bone in his foot.

Midfielder Morgan Rogers is serving a similar suspension to Duran. These three absences are a real blow for Emery. Jaden Philogene and Diego Carlos are also sidelined. Yet Matty Cash is available again.

Meanwhile, the Foxes will be unable to call on first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. Jakub Stolarczyk should replace him. Wout Faes is uncertain at this point. This match will be difficult for Leicester.

Jakub Stolarczyk; Victor Kristiansen, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, James Justin ; Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks ; Stephy Mavididi, Bilal El Khannouss, Facundo Buonanotte ; Jamie Vardy.