Aston Villa are gearing up for a crucial encounter against Leicester City at Villa Park, a match that holds significant implications for both clubs as they navigate contrasting fortunes in the Premier League.
December proved to be a challenging month for Aston Villa, who managed to secure only ten points from seven matches. This performance fell short of the expectations set by fans hoping for a push towards a top-four finish. However, a notable highlight came in the form of a Champions League victory, which has propelled Villa to fifth place in the Premier League, with two matches still to play.
While the club revels in its current Champions League standing, there is a need for cautious optimism regarding their title aspirations. A club spokesperson acknowledged the fierce competition in the tournament, stating, “In all things real world, we're not going to win the Champions League.” Nevertheless, the ongoing strong performances from Villa, alongside those of rival teams, suggest that a fifth-place finish could still secure European qualification.
Looking ahead, the January transfer window is poised to be a pivotal moment for Villa. The spokesperson hinted at potential new signings, saying, “I just sense the one thing we're missing is not that player for the long term, but that player that can get us over the line.” This addition is deemed essential to enhance the team's attacking prowess, which has not matched the effectiveness displayed in the previous season. They elaborated, “If we're attacking more and causing problems at one end of the pitch, the ball isn't going to be at the other and we're not going to concede as many as we are. And conceding is our problem.”
The spokesperson further emphasised the importance of goal difference, drawing a connection between scoring and conceding goals. “I wrote the other day about our goal difference this season so far to last season and for me it comes down to goals scoring - it's like a swing. We score more, we'll concede less, based on my logic above.” They expressed confidence that the club’s ownership understands the significance of qualifying for the Champions League next season or at least securing a place in European competition, and are prepared to make key signings to achieve this goal.
As Villa prepares to face Leicester City, the spokesperson expressed belief in the team's ability to secure a victory. “Not because it's Leicester, but because it's Ruud van Nistelrooy,” they remarked, alluding to the challenges posed by the Foxes' new manager.
Aston Villa are aiming to achieve their first league double over Leicester since 2004, having previously triumphed 2-1 against them earlier this season. Historically, Leicester have enjoyed a strong record at Villa Park, winning three of their last four league encounters there. However, Villa's recent home form is promising, as they remain unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches at Villa Park, scoring at least two goals in 12 of their last 17 fixtures.
In contrast, Leicester City are currently grappling with difficulties under Ruud van Nistelrooy, having lost four consecutive matches—marking their worst run in the top flight since April 2023. The Foxes find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time since the 2014-15 season, with Jamie Vardy yet to find the net against Villa in his last six Premier League appearances.
As highlighted by The Villa Blog, the upcoming match is critical for both teams, with Villa striving to solidify their European aspirations while Leicester seeks to halt their recent decline. In an additional update, the spokesperson revealed the launch of a new blog, Footballocracy, where they intend to discuss football topics beyond Aston Villa. “I quite like writing and find it quite relaxing,” they shared, indicating a desire to broaden their commentary on the sport.
With the stakes high, all eyes will be on Villa Park as Aston Villa look to continue their pursuit of European football while Leicester aim to turn their fortunes around.