Aston Villa vs Leicester
England – Carabao Cup
Date: Tuesday, 28 January 2020
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Villa Park (Birmingham).
News Team
Dean Smith has asked new signing Mbwana Samanas to quickly bring quality to bear as Aston Villa bid for a third visit to Wembley in 21 months.
After playing the last four games without a recognized striker, Villa boss Smith will hand Samanas debut on Tuesday night.
Smith also has another striker in Davis Keinan available again after three months out with a hamstring injury, but midfielder Danny Drinkwater ineligible after playing in an earlier round in the competition while on loan at Burnley.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is set back from a hamstring injury; 33 years old missed his team's FA Cup win at Brentford after limped off with a hamstring problem as possible during the previous game against West Ham.
Wilfred Ndidi fit to start but Nampalys Mendy (knee) and Wes Morgan (illness) will not be available.
While Rodgers has suggested that Jamie Vardy could be back on Tuesday night, the striker may have to make do with a place among the substitutes.
The players rested against Brentford will remember, that includes people like Kasper Schmeichel, Ricardo Pereira and Youri Tielemans.
Rodgers faces plucked two of Dennis Praet, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez, with the latter potentially being left on the bench.
Villa will be without Danny Drinkwater, which is cup-tied after representing Burnley at the beginning of the competition.
However, although not signed in time for the first leg, goalkeeper Pepe Reina qualified to start between the sticks.
Mbwana Samanas likely to be selected among the substitutes after arriving from Genk.
Aston Villa may be the beginning of the lineup:
reina; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Targett; Grealish, El Ghazi, Trezeguet
Leicester City lineup may be the beginning:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Chilwell; Praet, Ndidi, Tielemans; Barnes, Maddison, Iheanacho
Aston Villa vs Leicester Predictions
The first leg of this semifinal match-up has occurred at the King Power Stadium, home of the Foxes. There, Aston Villa had taken an early lead, with goals 28 minutes, and threatens to take down the win.
Jamie Vardy uncharacteristically empty shot that day, but he still managed to help the equalizing goal by Kelechi Iheanacho in 75 minutes.
1-1 scoreline is then maintained until the end.
The results of this Tuesday, by all means Leicester takes the cake. Not only are they one of the best teams in the competition as of now, but they are champions as well as three seasons back.
Fox is also the main contenders for the podium this season, and if not for Jurgen Klopp Liverpool, they can give Pep Guardiola Manchester City a serious run for their money in their title defense.
On the other hand, Aston Villa are placed one place and two points above the relegation line, and they were not even present in the top flight last season.
In addition, the latest Leicester have won h2h league clash, and then they are on the road as well. Also note that the scoreline was 1-4, supportive male Rodgers.
In addition, Villa were without a win in four of their last five games overall, and it is in the top ten of their previous fourteen well.
It is also worth mentioning that Leicester has recorded three of the previous four wins h2h, and that they had been unbeaten against this opponent in the last five years. Furethermore, has been almost 17 years since the Foxes have failed to find the back of the net on this ground as well.
Examine all these factors together, we came to the conclusion that the Leicester line to record a win this match-day.
And on the same note, Fox will be extra vigilant in the back, with a view to the final Carabao, which remains their only hope for silverware this campaign.
In addition, PL 2015-16 Champions have conceded the second-fewest number goals this league campaign (at least clear by Liverpool), and has demonstrated capabilty in dealing with strong pressure throughout the season.
Under no circumstances will the Fox enable their chances of a place in the end be threatened by Villa violations.
Thus, it is expected that Leicester will keep a clean sheet in the game, and almost certainly in the first 45 minutes.
Aston Villa vs Leicester Betting Tips
Leicester to Win @ 1.75 (3/4)
Leicester to keep a clean sheet in the first half @ 1.60 (3/5).
