James: A lack of quality in the attacking third, specifically Mavididi, and a costly mistake at the back by James Justin resulted in another defeat. The rot has now carried through into another year. A new right-back, winger and striker are urgently needed in January, otherwise the Championship and the dark abyss beckons.

Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey were on target for Unai Emery’s side, who were without Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran

Leon Bailey scored his first goal of the Premier League season to fire Aston Villa to a 2-1 win against Leicester.

Aston Villa have gone 10 consecutive Premier League games without defeat at Villa Park (W6 D4), since a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in their opening game home game of 2024-25. Only Arsenal (12) are currently enjoying a longer unbeaten home run in the competition.

Aston Villa will look to get 2025 off to the perfect start by picking up three points at home against struggling Leicester City.   Aston Villa vs Leicester best bets Aston Villa -1 on

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will be without a number of first-team players for the Premier League clash against Leicester City

Ruud Van Nistelrooy got off to a dream start as Leicester boss when they picked up a 3-1 win at home to West Ham before coming from 2-0 down to take a superb point against Brighton. Since those two games,

Aston Villa have had a taste of the big time and they want more of it next season. Unai Emery's side have taken to the Champions League like a duck to water and they are on course for reaching the last 16 of the competition.