Soccer Premier League

5 Bold Predictions For Leicester City vs. Aston Villa In EPL Week 21

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By @potts93

5 Bold Predictions For Leicester vs. Aston Villa

Aston Villa Leicester
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On paper, you're looking at a total bore-fest. Between them, Aston Villa and Leicester have only mustered a total of 30 goals in 40 games, combined. Everything's set up nicely for a 0-0, 'asleep in your seat' draw. Well, not entirely. Villa are missing a defensive rock, but their attacking talisman is slowly approaching a pocket of form. Meanwhile, Leicester have staged a mini-two game revival, enough to galvanize a deflated squad.

5. Ron Vlaar Will Be Missed

Ron Vlaar Villa
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5. Ron Vlaar Will Be Missed

Ron Vlaar
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Villa captain Ron Vlaar looks set to miss six weeks of the season through injury meaning that Villa's defense will have to step up in his absence. The Dutch International defender is a crucial part of a reasonably solid rearguard which has rescued enough points to subsidize the lack of goals being scored. Without Vlaar, Villa could crumble and Leicester could capitalize.

4. It Will Be a Very Close Game -- For the Wrong Reasons

Richardson Aston Villa
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4. It Will Be a Very Close Game -- For the Wrong Reasons

Richardson Aston Villa
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Some encounters will be too close to call through an equal amount of sheer talent. Switching sports for a second, Manning vs. Luck in the Broncos-Colts NFL playoff game should be a close game, but full of quality. For a short time, as the two Premier League Manchester sides were heading in opposite directions, they were very close in quality and produced some stunning games. Villa-Leicester will be close... in the lack of talent stakes.

3. Benteke Will Score

Benteke Aston Villa
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3. Benteke Will Score

Benteke Aston Villa
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Villa have lacked goals; that's not exactly a secret. Their one glimmer of hope in the attacking department is that with Christian Benteke, they have a striker who can produce goals from nowhere. He's a match-winner, and he proved that against Blackpool in the FA Cup with a last-minute strike. Even when Villa are struggling, he has the quality to turn a game around. Watch out for him this weekend.

2. Nigel Pearson's Side Will Equalize

Nigel Pearson
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2. Nigel Pearson's Side Will Equalize

Nigel Pearson Leicester
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Nigel Pearson hasn't had much to celebrate this season. However, a win over Hull and a solid draw against Liverpool have given his side renewed hope. Leonardo Ulloa's early season form hit the buffers pretty quickly, but if he can ride the new confident wave sweeping across the Leicester side, he could be the key to a revival. Jeff Schlupp has also chipped in with some timely goals. He'll be hoping to exploit a Vlaar-less Villa defense.

1. Pressure On Paul Lambert Will Increase

Paul Lambert Villa
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1. Pressure On Paul Lambert Will Increase

Paul Lambert Villa
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Villa boss Paul Lambert has already bemoaned chants directed his way demanding his dismissal, but anything less than a win -- against a team struggling like Leicester have done -- will ramp up the pressure on Lambert. He hasn't really done anything majorly wrong this season. Villa are 12th. That's a decent position, but you can understand the supporters' concern. If they don't start killing teams off, they're going to plummet.

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