Things to look out for in Leicester vs Villa

Leicester’s second home game of the season is against another team that finished in the top six of the Premier League last season, it will be a tricky test no doubt. Some of the players who joined LCFC last season in the Championship have sweated away any top-flight anxiety and nervousness. We could therefore see a more expansive City being direct with possession in Steve Cooper's team set up.

In the first two games of the season, Leicester were more conservative, soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter attack through their dynamic forward players. However, Cooper might flip the script due to playing at home and field a more attacking line up. Maybe he'll also bring back the east Midlanders' star of last year Stephy Mavididi.

One of the biggest takeaways from the first two league games is James Justin playing as a right center back in possession, creating a back-three similar to what was done last season under Enzo Maresca. Although, with James Justin starting this term in the right back role, some discourse emerged from Leicester fans asking why Ricardo Pereira hasn’t been in the XI.

Leicester’s vice captain played the full 90 minutes against Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night, and brings wealth of experience to the side. He could be the change the former Nottingham Forest coach makes.

Moving to the visitors at the King Power on Saturday the 31st of August, Aston Villa under Unai Emery have been one of the best performing teams in the Premier League and across Europe since his arrival and he has a certain way of playing.

Aston Villa set up

Villa, under their Spanish manager, play with a narrow midfield with width coming from the full backs. A more traditional way of playing football. In possession and out of possession Villa do the same. This makes them a compact team harder for oppositions to play through the lines.

The perfect example of this is the AVFC fixture against Arsenal last Saturday. In the first half, the Gunners couldn’t play through them and had to create chances going out wide or creating one and two touch passing patterns. 

Rounding out the West Birmingham outfit under the Basque boss is Ollie Watkins, who will cause trouble for Leicester. The Striker has been making runs down the left channel where Wout Faes and Victor Kristiansen typically are. The England international hasn’t opened his Premier League account for the new season yet - but if get the chance he will likely pounce on those opportunities.

LCFC need to cause Villa problems throughout the game if they want to get anything from the match and build on the strong home performance they had against Tottenham Hotspur in the first game. There is further emphasis for the Foxes to make their base a fortress - this might be key in survival.