Betting preview: Aston Villa vs Leicester: Harvey Barnes to continue scoring run against Villans
- Joe Hewlett
- 4 December 2021
Planet Sport previews the upcoming Midlands clash between Aston Villa and Leicester City.
Steven Gerrard has made an impressive start to life in the Midlands, winning two of his first three games.
Brendan Rodgers has endured a mixed start to the season following two top-five finishes as Foxes boss. Before this weekend's action began they sat in tenth, but only trailing fourth-placed West Ham by five points.
The two managers know each other well. Firstly they worked together at Liverpool with Rodgers as manager and Gerrard his captain. Together, they nearly broke Liverpool's Premier League duck in 2013/14, only to surrender that chance to Manchester City...the season of the infamous Gerrard slip.
Then the master took on the apprentice in the Old Firm derby. Rodgers as Celtic manager, and Gerrard as Rangers boss, met on the touchline twice, claiming 1-0 wins against each other before Rodgers left the Hoops to join Leicester.
Both managers have succesfully claimed an undefeated 'invincible' campaign in the Scottish Premier League. Rodgers achieved it in 2016/17, while Gerrard did with the Gers last season.
When: Sunday, December 5, 16.30 GMT
Where: Villa Park
How to watch: Sky Sports
Best bets for Aston Villa vs Leicester
This should be an electric game at Villa Park in front of a crowd who are enjoying what they've seen from the opening three games under Steven Gerrard.
Two wins against Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, and a battling defeat to Manchester City has given the Holte End faithful plenty to be excited about.
Dean Smith did a solid job as Villa boss and can consider himself unfortunate to be sacked following a run of five consecutive losses. However, many accused Smith of not knowing his best team, formation or system and the players appeared often confused as to what their roles were on the pitch.
Gerrard's arrival has motivated the Villans, with the returning Ashley Young and Ollie Watkins flourishing in particular - the latter scoring in two of the three games for Gerrard.
Meanwhile John McGinn has been the player of the season for Villa so far, and working under a Premier League legend who dominated the middle of the park will only improve McGinn further.
For Brendan Rodgers' side it has been an inconsistent season compared to the previous two. In 2019/20 and 2020/21, the Foxes missed out on Champions League qualification on the last day of the season.
In the Europa League, they have qualified for the knockout stages but in the Premier League they have conceded 25 goals in 14 games and at minus three when it comes to goal difference.
After a crushing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in November, boos were ringing out of the King Power. It prompted Rodgers - who has been heavily linked with jobs away from Leciester - to retaliate and point out the club's overachievement.
Leicester will need to tighten up their defence if they are to qualify for Europe once again. Since an opening day 1-0 win over Wolves, they have not recorded a clean sheet.
Last 10 head-to-head meetings
Aston Villa wins: 3
Draws: 2
Leicester City wins: 5
Last three results
Aston Villa 1-2 Leicester (February 21, 2021)
Five minutes later, Barnes was in the right place at the right time, connecting from Jamie Vardy's pass from close range.
Bertrand Traore offered hope at the start of the second-half but Villa - without key man Jack Grealish through injury - were unable to find an equaliser.
Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa (October 18, 2020)
Continuing on from their 7-2 demolition of Liverpool, Dean Smith's side won their fourth game and in doing so, made their best start to a top flight season in over 90 years.
Leicester 4-0 Aston Villa (March 9, 2020)
Goalscorer bets for Aston Villa vs Leicester
Harvey Barnes is yet to find form in front of goal this season in the league with just one goal from 12 games, but if there is a time to start scoring then it's against Villa.
The 23-year-old loves to score against the Villa. In four Premier League appearances, he has found the net on three occasions and claimed one assist. He is 14/5 to score at anytime and a huge 22/1 to bag a brace like he did against Villa back in 2020.
Jamie Vardy shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to scoring - he already has nine goals in 13 appearances. Not bad for a player approaching 35.
Villa are a team he likes to play against with five goals in seven league games against them - he is 9/2 to score the first and 9/1 to net a double.
Ollie Watkins will be looking to continue his form in front of goal under Steven Gerrard and for him to score first, Planet Sport Bet gives you odds of 17/4.
Tyrone Mings has been rejuvenated in recent games and scored a brilliant goal against Crystal Palace. Odds of 20/1 to open proceedings could be appealing - especially if Villa can get their set-pieces right against a Leicester defence which can't stop conceding goals.
