Premier League: Aston Villa v Leicester betting preview & free tips

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Aston Villa v Leicester in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Draw-Leicester double result
1pt 4-1 bet365

Team news

Aston Villa
Anwar El Ghazi missed the trip to Chelsea but could be back. Bjorn Engels is expected to be fit.

Leicester
Ben Chilwell looks set to return and Demarai Gray is expected to be back in the squad after flu.

Match preview

Leicester City's seventh straight Premier League win on Wednesday saw them cut to long odds-on to finish in the top four of the Premier League but the Foxes should not expect an easy ride at Villa Park.

Aston Villa have been strong at home recently and pushed leaders Liverpool all the way last month before picking up a win over Newcastle in their latest home outing.

Dean Smith’s side also recorded a creditable draw at Manchester United last weekend.

Leicester’s eye-catching run lifted them to second in the table and they would love to still be going strong for their mouthwatering fixture at home to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

A win at Villa Park would see them break a club record for consecutive top-flight wins, which was set in 1962-63.

Jamie Vardy has found the net in seven straight matches, evoking memories of his 11-goal streak in Leicester’s title winning season.

Vardy’s 14th goal of the season broke Watford’s resistance at the King Power on Wednesday and means he is three goals in front of his nearest rival for the Golden Boot, Tammy Abraham.

Leicester have three more points than they had after 15 games of their unforgettable 2015-16 season and they have scored more goals and conceded fewer than at the corresponding stage.

Villa were one of the few to take points off the title winners that season as a missed penalty by Riyad Mahrez meant the points were shared at Villa Park in a 1-1 draw.

Leicester’s last away win in this fixture was in December 2001. That 2-0 win is the only fixture between the teams at Villa Park in the Premier League era that has not seen both teams scoring.

Much of Leicester’s success has been built around being strong in the second half of matches. Brendan Rodgers’ side have won 11 of their 15 second halves this season, scoring 25 goals after the break.

The Foxes have had to be patient in recent home wins over Everton and Watford before scoring late goals to secure victory.

The story of Aston Villa’s season is the opposite to Leicester's. They would be third in the table if matches finished after 45 minutes but they have conceded 18 goals in the second half - the worst record in the Premier League.

Manager Dean Smith will be hoping the home crowd can inspire Villa, who have picked up 11 of their 15 points at Villa Park.

This match represents the beginning of a key phase of the season for Villa, who will face three of the teams below them before the New Year with games against Southampton, Norwich and Watford.

The hosts could hold out in the first half, but the Foxes are fancied ot get on top after the break.