Leicester City vs. Aston Villa | Match Preview | WSL Week 14
In this in-depth preview, we break down the key stats, tactical trends, and data-driven insights to reveal how Leicester City and Aston Villa match up in this week's WSL showdown.
📅 Date: Sunday, 16 February 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
📍 Venue: King Power Stadium
🔍 Match Context & Overview
Leicester City (11th place) and Aston Villa (10th place) face off in a WSL clash that could have a major impact on the lower half of the table. With just one point separating the teams, both are eager to climb clear of the relegation battle. Neither side has consistently found winning form; Leicester have only one victory in their last five league matches, while Villa fare only slightly better with one win, one draw, and three losses over the same span.
📊 Current Standings & Recent Form
Leicester City
Position: 11th
Points: 9 (from 13 matches)
Goals For/Against : 6 scored | 19 conceded
Last 5 WSL Matches: 1W, 1D, 3L
Home Record: 2W-1D-3L (4 scored, 7 conceded)
Key Trend: Lowest-scoring team in the league (0.46 goals per match)
Despite occasional flashes of promise, Leicester’s season-long issues in front of goal remain significant. Their tendency to cede possession and sit deep has limited scoring chances, and they will need a more proactive approach to threaten Villa’s vulnerable defense.
Aston Villa
Position: 10th
Points: 10 (from 13 matches)
Last 5 WSL Matches: 1W, 1D, 3L
Goals For/Against (Last 5): 15 scored | 24 conceded
Away Record: 0W-2D-4L (4 scored, 12 conceded)
Key Trend: Poor away form (0 wins on the road this season)
Villa’s firepower up front has kept them competitive, but leaking goals (1.85 per match) has prevented them from turning close games into victories. They’ll look to break their away-day blues here.
🏆 Head-to-Head Record
Total Matches: 7
Aston Villa Wins: 5
Leicester City Wins: 0
Draws: 2
Goal Difference: +10 Aston Villa
Recent Meetings:
Oct 2024: Villa 0-0 Leicester (xG: 1.2 - 0.6)
Mar 2024: Villa 2-2 Leicester (xG: 1.5 - 1.1)
Jan 2024: Leicester 0-1 Villa (xG: 1.8 - 1.1)
Villa remain unbeaten against Leicester in all competitions, though the last two encounters ended in draws—suggesting Leicester are closing the gap. Still, history favors the visitors.
📊 Tactical Breakdown
Leicester City’s Approach
Likely Formation: 4-5-1
Style: Low-block defense, concede possession
Key Strength: Disciplined shape, can frustrate opponents
Key Weakness: Minimal attacking threat, struggle to create high-quality chances
Leicester typically focus on quick counters and set pieces to nick a goal. Expect them to drop deep in a 4-5-1 out of possession, with midfielders collapsing to protect their back line.
Aston Villa’s Approach
Likely Formation: 4-3-3
Style: Possession-oriented, patient buildup
Key Strength: Frontline creativity (Daly, Hanson, Nobbs)
Key Weakness: Defensive lapses, especially away from home
Villa’s midfield trio looks to supply dangerous passes to wide players or release their striker, Rachel Daly, who is strong at both hold-up play and clinical finishes.
🌟 Key Players to Watch
Leicester City
🔹 Missy Goodwin (Forward) | 2 goals (1.8 xG)
Leicester’s most clinical finisher, Goodwin has a knack for converting chances efficiently. She may not get many opportunities, but if Villa’s defense switches off, she’ll make them pay.
🔹 Ruby Mace (Midfielder) | 15 shots (team-high)
A dynamic presence in midfield, Mace isn’t afraid to take on long-range shots. She can dictate Leicester’s buildup and has the potential to produce a moment of brilliance from distance.
🔹 Yuka Momiki (Forward/Midfielder)
A versatile attacker, Momiki offers both creativity and goal threat. Comfortable playing as a forward or an attacking midfielder. Her vision and technical ability make her a key playmaker for Leicester.
Aston Villa
🔹 Rachel Daly (Striker) | 5 goals (4.3 xG)
Villa’s talisman in attack, Daly is lethal in and around the box. With her positioning, finishing ability, and aerial threat, Leicester’s defense will need to stay locked in to contain her.
🔹 Kirsty Hanson (Winger) | 3 assists | 43 progressive carries
Aston Villa’s key wide threat, Hanson is relentless in carrying the ball forward. Her ability to beat defenders and create chances makes her a crucial part of Villa’s attack.
🔹 Jordan Nobbs (Midfielder)
The engine of Villa’s midfield, Nobbs dictates play with sharp passing and vision. If Villa dominate possession, she will be the one pulling the strings and creating openings.
6. Key Statistical Matchups
🔹 Possession – Leicester City: 38.2% | Aston Villa: 51.4%
🔹 Passing Accuracy – Leicester City: 72.4% | Aston Villa: 80.5%
🔹 Expected Goals (xG) – Leicester City: 8.7 | Aston Villa: 15.3
🔹 Goals Scored per Match – Leicester City: 0.46 | Aston Villa: 1.08
🔹 Goals Conceded per Match – Leicester City: 1.46 | Aston Villa: 1.85
🔹 Shots on Target per Match – Leicester City: 2.23 | Aston Villa: 4.46
Villa are statistically superior in possession, passing, and attacking output.
Leicester’s best shot at a result may lie in set pieces and counter-attacking opportunities.
Both sides have defensive weaknesses—whichever defense steps up could determine the outcome.
🔮 Prediction
📌 Predicted Scoreline: Leicester City 0-2 Aston Villa
🎯 Reasons:
Villa’s attacking quality outweighs Leicester’s defensive resilience.
Rachel Daly’s presence gives Villa the firepower to break through.
Leicester’s goal-scoring struggles will likely continue against a Villa side that has historically dominated this fixture.
📢 Final Thoughts
With both teams desperate for points, expect a tense encounter at the King Power Stadium. While Leicester’s defensive discipline can pose problems, Aston Villa’s superior attacking metrics and unbeaten head-to-head record give them the edge. If Villa maintain focus at the back, their well-rounded frontline should seal all three points and keep Leicester rooted near the foot of the table.
Will Leicester finally break their winless streak against Villa, or will the away side continue to dominate this matchup? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
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