Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Leicester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 2 - 1 Leicester City FC
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
17:11The full-time whistle sounds as Aston Villa have beaten Leicester City 2-1 with a determined performance at Villa Park. On a chilly January afternoon in the West Midlands, it seemed that many at Villa's historic ground were sitting on their hands as a quiet first half dragged by. However, in the second period, things became more lively as Barkley powered his side into the lead in the 58th minute. Leicester failed to clear from a corner and Barkley brought down a header away, before driving the ball into the bottom-left corner superbly. Leicester reacted brilliantly and restored parity just six minutes later to mute celebrations. Ayew powered down the right and crossed low for Vardy. He forced a close-range save from Martinez before Mavididi latched onto the rebound at the left post and squeezed home with aplomb. After key changes from Emery, Villa regained composure and the lead in the 76th minute. Justin's naivety at the back was punished as substitute Maatsen robbed the ball before sliding back across for Bailey to slam past Stolarczyk. Villa closed out this one to go eighth in the table, yet could've made it 3-1 on two occasions, bumping up their xG to an eventual 1.40. Leicester continue in 19th, and in battling back, exceeded their 0.36 xG. Thank you for joining us, we hope you enjoyed the game!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:57FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 2-1 LEICESTER CITY
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:55Yellow Card Boubakary Soumaré
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:54Daka works hard to win back the ball and play in Mavididi on the left. However, the winger's shot from that side is blocked and put out for a throw. Daka's long throw is then headed clear by the Villans' defence before Okoli powers one from range into the stands.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:53As Okoli slides in De Cordova-Reid and Mings blocks the cross behind for a right-sided corner, the announcement rings out that there will be five minutes of added time. Martinez rises to Buonanotte's delivery and dives onto the ball for safekeeping.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:49Substitution Luke Jonathan Thomas Bobby Armani De Cordova-Reid
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:48Buendia can't make it three for the goal-hungry Villans! Watkins drives away from Okoli and cuts back to his Argentinian team-mate in the centre. Leaning back, he skies his curling effort!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:46HOW'S IT NOT 3-1!? Bailey darts down the right and powers onto the bar via a superb tip from Stolarczyk. A Buendia effort is then blocked by Okoli before Watkins fires over from close range!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:43Coady is then withdrawn for Italian centre-back Caleb Okoli.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:43Van Nistelrooy rings the changes for the final 10 minutes. The first of the triple change sees El Khannouss make way for Patson Daka.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:43Substitution Jordan Pierre Ayew Facundo Valentín Buonanotte
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:41Leicester City have conceded eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half. Only Aston Villa (11) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (nine) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:40Villa tails are up and Buendia is trying to get in on the substitute action. He just powers an effort past the foot of the left post.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:37Assist Ian Ethan Maatsen
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:36Villa look to make inroads on the left behind Justin, yet the defence eventually converge well to shut down the opportunities for both Ramsey and Digne.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:36Goal Leon Patrick Bailey Butler
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:36Substitution Lucas Digne Ian Ethan Maatsen
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:36Substitution Ross Barkley Emiliano Buendía Stati
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:33A long Leicester ball floats through to Martinez and the keeper tries to fuel a counter. However, Ramsey is forced back into the Villa half.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:31Tielemans opts to loft the ball over to the back post and Thomas nods behind for a corner on the right. Digne takes, yet Stolarczyk calls it well and catches with relative ease.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:31Barkley jinks away from El Khannouss as the Moroccan lunges in. The former Luton string-puller, and the day's Villa scorer, uses his body expertly to win the foul. It's right on the edge of the box in a great place to shoot. In fact, Villa have five prospective takers gathered around the ball.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:28Aston Villa have attempted 434 passes in this match, higher than their season average of 433.3 in the Premier League.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:28It seems that Mavididi's parity-restoring strike has knocked Villa slightly. Mings just pings the ball out for a Leicester through. Surely the Foxes can't strike twice while the iron is hot? No. Thomas then takes after Mings and does the same.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:27To quote a former Leicester sensei here in Brendan Rogers, the Foxes "have shown great character" to get back into this one.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:24Goal Stephy Alvaro Mavididi
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:24Vestergaard trudges off now, as Wout Faes enters the fray in his place for the final half an hour.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:23Villa voices soar now, and now Leicester look wounded. Well, perhaps quite literally, as Vestergaard is down. What a blow this could be, he's been one of their best players today.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:22While Leicester will draw confidence from early second-half attacks, it doesn't look good for the Foxes. They have failed to win any of their last eight matches when conceding first in the Premier League, since a victory over Southampton on 19th October 2024.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:18Watkins drives down the left after being supplied well by Digne. Coady tracks him all the way and diverts a ball inward from the left byline into the side-netting for a corner.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:18Goal Ross Barkley
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:16After this commentator got over Vestergaard vying for a position change, Justin's eventual cross from the right was claimed by Martinez. Villa then had a break end with Vestergaard and Mavididi playing out well from the left corner. In the next phase, Mavididi nicks the ball of Cash but Villa are forced to quickly recover.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:14Vestergaard! Are you Maldini in disguise? For the third time today, the huge Dane just skips and jinks away from his markers like they're not even there.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:13After Villa's corner came to nothing with a misplaced Tielemans pass, Leicester keep hold of the ball before Soumare gets robbed. Bailey is then taken down, but there's no free-kick given.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:12Vardy is nearly slipped through but Konsa deals with the danger well to play back to Martinez. Leicester then press so high and the hosts just manage to squeeze out of trouble with some expert interplay. A move up the pitch culminates in a shot from Barkley, yet it's blocked behind for a corner on the left.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:10El Khannouss causes trouble in the area after a Winks ball over from the right. It dribbles through to Mavididi and he spoons a great chance back the way it came!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:08Tielemans fires one from the edge of the box after the ball is poked away from Watkins, yet his low drive is straight into the arms of Stolarczyk. That's better though...
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:06Aston Villa get us back into the action.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:06Some almost pensive building out from the back has been a shared theme today, as Mings and Vestergaard have been their respective teams' players with the most touches. Watkins has been dealt with brilliantly by the combined nous of Vestergaard and Coady. That said, Leicester just haven't been able to capitalise on their ability to regain possession in the middle with El Khannouss and Soumare. They have, however, shown great patience to allow Villa time on the ball, but need to create more concrete opportunities with Vardy and Mavididi often looking like spare parts further forward. This game hardly reads like a classic. Villa created an xG of 0.15 in that first 45 minutes, while Leicester operated around just 0.05 xG.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
16:01Some almost pensive building out from the back has been a shared theme today, as Mings and Vestergaard have been their respective teams' players with the most touches. Watkins has been dealt with brilliantly by the combined nous of Vestergaard and Coady. That said, Leicester just haven't been able to capitalise on their ability to regain possession in the middle with El Khannouss and Soumare. They have, however, shown great patience to allow Villa time on the ball, but need to create more concrete opportunities with Vardy and Mavididi often looking like spare parts further forward. This game hardly reads like a classic. Villa created an xG of 0.15 in that first 45 minutes, while Leicester operated around just 0.05 xG.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:57A closely-run and somewhat bleak January contest comes to a halt, as the half-time score reads Aston Villa 0-0 Leicester City. This commentator was hoping that one of these two sides would eventually emerge out of the formative exchanges, however, neither really took the game by the scruff of the neck. With action hard to come by as the hosts tried to pick through the Foxes' stubborn shape, while also reacting to inconsistent attacks - the first flurry of intent arrived in the 14th minute. Cash flew down the right before powering in a low and dangerous ball for Watkins. However, the experienced Coady was alive to the danger and poked the ball away expertly. Then, as the half steadily wound down with Villa trying almost every passing combination in the book, a last-gasp crescendo had Leicester heads spinning. Watkins ran onto a looping ball on the left and blasted across the face. Vestergaard prodded away before Cash let rip from range to sting the hands of Stolarczyk who offered up a fine parry.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:51HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-0 LEICESTER CITY
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:51Watkins flashes across the face but Leicester just get it out! Cash then lets go from range on the right and Stolarczyk has to be strong to parry away!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:47Bitty closing exchanges are expected as the assistant referee has lifted his board. There will be three minutes of added time.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:46The atmosphere is suffering slightly, as what sounds like Leicester fans splutter into life briefly. Villa have possession at the back and try to move down the left with Digne and Mings, yet it's prodded out for a throw. Enthralling. Close to half-time, it may be worth going to get a pie or a brew.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:44It really is drab reading for all, as neither side have had a shot on target in this game.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:40Approaching five minutes from the break, Villa have had 54% of possession in comparison to Leicester's 46%.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:39Villa build up well around Leicester's box. However, the stubborn Foxes clear from Bailey's low ball.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:36El Khannouss latches onto a poor header from Cash after a long ball from Leicester. He robs the ball back and breaches the edge of the box, but perhaps opens his body too much and fires well high of the target. He's not happy with himself.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:34Breaking out from a midfield skirmish, Villa make progress down their right side with Cash finding Bailey. However, his ball into the six-yard box is poked away by the long right leg of Vestergaard.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:32Boos ring out as Leicester's progress up the field is interrupted by the ball hitting Gillett. Give him a break fellas, how could you miss the bright yellow man in the middle of the park?
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:31Leicester's first corner of the game comes in and Villa clear. To the dismay of the travelling support, it's all the way back to Stolarczyk before Cash is fouled as the Foxes try to come forward again. Bailey then poses a threat on the right, yet El Khannouss strides back to shrug the Jamaican off the ball effortlessly.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:29Justin is found high on the Leicester right with support from Winks, yet Villa get bodies back. The ball is out over to Mavididi before going backwards to Vestergaard. An eventual cross from Soumare on the left has Mings head behind for a corner to the Foxes.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:27After Ayew sees a ball from the right byline intercepted by Mings, Coady fouls Watkins to pause momentum. There seems to be a lull in play currently, as Villa continue to negotiate Leicester's staunch positioning and occasional offensive threat.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:25The ball is back with Villa as they try to pick the Leicester lock. However, Soumare wins it back and tries to set Mavididi off on his way. The hosts are quick to get back though, and again, force their opponents backwards.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:23A Villa move is disrupted in the centre and Ayew comes infield to jink away from two in claret and blue. It's pushed out to Mavididi, yet the hosts press brilliantly and hem Leicester in.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:20While McGinn looks to come off, it's worth noting that there should be goals in this game... Both teams have scored in 13 of the 14 Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and Leicester at Villa Park, with the only exception being a 2-0 win for Leicester in December 2001.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:20Substitution John McGinn Jacob Matthew Ramsey
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:19Well, the intent from both sides has stepped up here. Leicester had a break end with a Justin cross straight into the gloves of Martinez, before a sweeping cross from the right gifted Stolarczyk a goal-kick. Play is now halted as McGinn is down with a problem.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:18The corner goes short before a ball by McGinn is headed behind once more. Tielemans takes another short one for McGinn. The Scot's ball in is better and deeper into Leicester territory. However, as Konsa nods it back from the byline for a lurking Mings, Justin gets it away. Watkins is down with a bloody lip after a separate collision, yet the Foxes survive.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:16That's more like it! Action! Cash's cross from the right is low and dangerous, and while Watkins stretched, Coady showed expert timing to block the ball behind!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:15Ayew is fouled from behind by Tielemans on Leicester's right wing. The free-kick is put into the area yet Villa head it out. Vestergaard again shows his ability to turn away from danger in the middle, but the visitors are eventually forced backwards.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:13After a brief spell of passing in the Leicester box, the ball is firmly back with the hosts. The Foxes' structure is very firm. Winks gets a foot on possession before being fouled, yet Villa get it back. You feel the home side need to muster up some meaningful attacks soon enough. Leicester are happy where they are, it seems, and happy to frustrate.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:10Following their 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium in August, Aston Villa are looking to complete their first league double over Leicester since 2003-04. They admittedly look more comfortable of the two teams so far.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:09Bailey tries a pass with the outside of his boot to the right byline, but alas it's a little too powerful for his inside runner. Stolarczyk lofts up a goal-kick, yet the ball is quickly back with the hosts.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:08After a challenge from the bustling El Khannouss, Mings holds his 'no-go area' as one commentator has so aptly put it. Winning a free-kick, Villa keep the ball in their half as Leicester look happy to drop back slightly.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:07Soumare flies through the back of a turning Tielemans in the centre-right of the pitch. It looks like a painful one for the Belgian. However, Villa look forward quickly and Barkley pushes the ball left. It gets to McGinn eventually and he drives to the left byline before winning a corner. This goes short and McGinn floats a deep ball to Cash at the back post. He can only header tamely, giving Stolarczyk an easy claim.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:04It's been far from a frenetic start here as both sides have been careful to get a foot on the ball. Vestegaard did deploy an uncharacteristic drag-back flick, yet that's been the only brief highlight so far in the early skirmish.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:02Leicester get us started here at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
15:02Villa emerge from the bowels of Villa Park with dreams of Champions League qualification. They're only six points off the European places. For Leicester, it's all about keeping survival hopes alive in the second half of the term. Three points would be huge in the West Midlands here. The two respective captains meet with Gillett for the coin toss. It looks like the visitors will kick us off, playing from right to left.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:58Today's chief official is Jarred Gillett. He arrives for his first Premier League game since late September's 1-1 draw between Newcastle and Manchester City. Interestingly enough, the Australian referee has dished out 26 yellow cards in just the four top-flight games that he's been in charge of this term. It is worth bearing in mind, that eight of those cautions arrived in the North London Derby (1-0W Arsenal). Will we see some better discipline this afternoon? He leads the two sides out of the tunnel onto the pristine turf at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has made two changes to the side who were beaten 2-0 at home by Manchester City. Jordan Ayew and Luke Thomas come into the team for Facundo Buonanotte and Victor Kristiansen.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42Unai Emery has made three changes to the Aston Villa side who drew 2-2 with Brighton on Monday night. Pau Torres steps out with a broken metatarsal as Morgan Rogers serves a one-match suspension. Diego Carlos also misses out. The trio are replaced by Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, and Matty Cash.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42SUBS: Daniel Iversen, Hamza Choudhury, Caleb Okoli, Wout Faes, Oliver Skipp, Will Alves, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Facundo Buonanotte, Patson Daka.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42LEICESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Jakub Stolarczyk; James Justin, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, Luke Thomas; Harry Winks, Boubakary Soumare; Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss, Stephy Mavididi; Jamie Vardy.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42SUBS: Robin Olsen, Ian Maatsen, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Lamare Bogarde, Sil Swinkels, Amadou Onana, Emiliano Buendia, Jamaldeen Jimoh, Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:42ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley; Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:37Looking to extend their unbeaten home league run to 10 matches, Aston Villa welcome Midlands counterparts Leicester City to Villa Park. The Villans were forced to share the spoils with Brighton during their final contest of 2024, whereas the Foxes were defeated on their own patch by Manchester City to round off a mixed calendar year. Winning just one of their final four top-flight outings prior to the turn of the year, Villa have dropped down to ninth place in the Premier League standings. Leicester’s 2-0 defeat against City extended their winless streak to five, leaving them in 19th place on 14 points, two points adrift of safety with 19 matches left. The team now guided by Van Nistelrooy haven't earned a win in a Premier League away game since October 2024 against Southampton.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:37Hello and welcome everyone, and a belated Happy New Year to all! We've flicked over into a new calendar year and there are plenty of resolutions to go around, as today, two sides are looking for fresh starts after their previous games in 2024. We bring you live text coverage of Aston Villa v Leicester City, in what's hopefully an engaging clash in the Premier League's 20th matchday.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
14:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
