Foxes of Leicester
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Aston Villa v Leicester: Foxes want revenge in the Midlands derby

By Elliot Mackness

Brendan Rogers, Manager of Leicester City interacts with Jack Grealish of Aston Villa (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Brendan Rogers, Manager of Leicester City interacts with Jack Grealish of Aston Villa (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City
Slavia Prague’s Nigerian midfielder Peter Olayinka (L) and Leicester’s Turkish forward Cengiz Under (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Leicester City: attacking options everywhere

Though defensively the Villan’s have the Foxes fairly matched, the offensive situation is much starker. Villa create an average of 1.82 big chances per match, have an xG (expected goals) of 38.25, actually scoring 36. Their numbers are lower at home than away from home.

The King Power side create 1.17 big chances per match, have an xG of 36.36, actually scoring 42. The Foxes’ figures are even better when we consider just away matches. Third in the league for xG away, fifth for goals scored away.

So what does this mean? Well, Aston Villa are much improved from last year. Their main attacking threat now actually has support and opportunities from smart players creatively playing a positive game.

Jack Grealish is always key for Villa. His partnership with Ross Barkley, Bertrand Traoré, and Ollie Watkins is lovely to watch. These four will undoubtedly play, and will be key if Aston Villa are to win this match.

Grealish offers pace, creativity, strength, and ‘clever play’ in getting fouled. Watkins can actually score goals. And Traoré is pacy, strong, and seemingly more effective than the other Traore…

Villa will use little runs from Barkley and Traore to penetrate or round defensive lines, as well as create space for late arrivals in attack to venture into. Players such as John McGinn will help the Villans to recycle possession high up the pitch.

This is a slightly different style to Leicester City. The Foxes are a possession-hungry side, flourishing when they can impose their game, force errors, and incessantly recycle the ball back to the defensive line. The defensive line slowly creeps forward, as wingers and wing-backs make false runs, stretch the defence, and prepare to penetrate or round defensive lines.

The Foxes have options for attack all over the pitch. On the right wing, Leicester have a choice of either Albrighton or Cengiz Under, partnered with either Ricky P, Castagne, or Amartey.

‘Sharkey’ (Albrighton) and Amartey could be partnered for a combination of whipped low crosses and early flighted crosses. Both are great defensively and can track back when necessary. Partner Under with Ricky P and you get two penetrative players: one to round the defence, one to cut inside and make a pullback pass to a midfielder, or a shot on goal.

On the left the situation is almost identical. Harvey Barnes offers inwards penetration and decent shooting, whereas Castagne or Justin (when fit) offers rounding of defences and decent pullback passes or crosses. The only downside on the left is the lack of real rotation options with Barnes since Demarai Gray was sold.

Then of course we have midfield runners and late arrivals in James Maddison and Tielemans. There are options for making the final pass and final shot from all over the pitch. But they are patient – Under aside – recycling possession if they cannot construct a decent chance. This limits their chances, but improves the quality of chances made.

The Foxes are more equipped for versatile attacking play in possession, and can hit hard on the turnover when gaining possession. Aston Villa excel on the counter, but can struggle to create high quality chances in possession.