Today is about Leicester and our need to win, but I also can't not mention the news from yesterday of the passing of Ron Saunders. For those that don't know and there will be some, Ron Saunders took Aston Villa from the second division to Champions of Europe.
Technically, that isn't all true. He wasn't the manager when we lifted the European Cup, but it was his team and what he did at and for Aston Villa that took us to Rotterdam and he wont be forgotten. There has been nobody better since.
And there should be a post about Ron Saunders. I'm going to reach out to Adam to see if he wants to write one for the Aston Villa's Greatest series. But that will have to come at another time.
Today is now all about Leicester and I never thought I'd write this, but they're actually doing quite well. And it's reminiscent of Aston Villa under Ron Saunders. They work hard and they don't give up. They like to score goals and there is a professionalism about them. Today wont be easy.
But in football, anything is possible. It's eleven against eleven and it often comes down to what side wants it more. On the day, it's impossible to predict with absolute certainty.
And we have positive news going into the game. Guilbert has served his one match ban and it looks like El Ghazi is back.I think both of these players, as things stand, make us stronger. Some might think it harsh to drop Trezeguet, but for the life of me, I still don't get him. Maybe he should replace Wes up front?
Anyway, it's time for breakfast. Back in a couple of hours.
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- Villa have only won five of their last 15 home games against Leicester in all competitions (D6, L4).
- However, Leicester's only victory in their past eight Premier League visits to Villa Park was 18 years ago.
Aston Villa
- Villa's only defeat in their past six home league matches came against Liverpool (W3, D2).
- They're looking for back-to-back Premier League wins at Villa Park for the first time since May 2015.
- However, they have earned a solitary point from their eight matches this season against sides in the top half of the table prior to the latest round of fixtures.
- Dean Smith's side dropped a league-high 13 points from winning positions after 15 rounds of matches.
- The 18 goals they have conceded in the second half is the most by any side in the division ahead of this weekend's games.
- Trezeguet could become the first Villa player to score in four successive Premier League starts since Christian Benteke in April 2013.
Leicester City
- The Foxes have equalled their club record of seven consecutive top-flight victories, set in March 1963.
- They won nine in a row in the Championship between December 2013 and February 2014.
- Leicester have won 11 of their opening 15 fixtures of a league campaign for the first time.
- They could equal the club top-flight records of four successive away wins and four consecutive away clean sheets.
- The nine goals they have conceded is the fewest in the division.
- Manager Brendan Rodgers has won all four of his Premier League away games against Aston Villa.
- Jamie Vardy has scored in seven consecutive Premier League appearances, his best streak since a record 11-match run in 2015.