Aston Villa will be hoping that 2025 begins in a brighter fashion than 2024 ended.
A challenging end-of-year run saw them secure just one victory in four Premier League games, capped by a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday. These results have edged Villa out of the European places, leaving them one point adrift as they start January in ninth place.
For manager Unai Emery, a key focus for the new year will undoubtedly be addressing his side’s defensive vulnerabilities. Villa’s backline has struggled, managing only two clean sheets in their last 24 Premier League outings. However, the turn of the calendar could bring renewed discipline, as the Villans have started the last two years with victories accompanied by shutouts—a pattern they’ll hope to replicate.
Their upcoming opponents, Leicester City, find themselves in even greater turmoil. Since Ruud van Nistelrooy’s promising start, which included a win and a draw, the Foxes have endured a steep decline, suffering four consecutive defeats. These losses have been particularly concerning, with Leicester conceding two or more goals in each match. They now risk an unwanted milestone of five straight Premier League defeats with at least two goals conceded, a streak not seen since October 2003.
Despite their struggles, Leicester supporters may find solace in the New Year’s historical trends. The Foxes have an impressive record in their opening matches of a calendar year, having lost only once since 2008 while securing 11 wins and four draws. Additionally, trips to Villa Park have often yielded positive outcomes, with Leicester winning three of their last four league visits there.
For Villa, Ollie Watkins remains a player to watch. His penalty against Brighton marked his latest contribution in a string of impactful home performances. Notably, Watkins has either scored or assisted in his last three encounters with Leicester, making him a potential game-changer in this fixture. On the other side, Leicester’s Jordan Ayew could pose a threat to his former club. Known for his late-game heroics, Ayew has netted three of his last four club-level goals past the 90th minute.
Adding intrigue is Villa’s pattern of symmetry in recent home matches. In six of their last seven league games at Villa Park, the result at half-time has been mirrored at full-time. This statistical quirk could be a factor to watch as the match unfolds.
The stakes are high for both sides. Villa aim to reignite their push for European qualification, while Leicester are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone. With both teams possessing talented players and plenty to prove, this clash promises an exciting start to the year at Villa Park.
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