Aston Villa vs. Leicester City – EPL, February 21, 2021

There are some big games in the Premier League this weekend, but this one could have a huge effect on how the top six ends up this season.

Villa has vastly improved from last year but remains out of the European places, while Leicester is looking like it could gatecrash the top four once again.

It is a sign of how well Aston Villa has played this season that the oddsmakers have the prices for this game so close – even if it still makes Leicester the favorite to take all three points. But with the way Dean Smith’s side has performed this year, the draw bet odds look very interesting too.

Villa began the season like a rocket-winning four in a row to establish itself as more than relegation fodder this year. But form has been very inconsistent ever since – and it is difficult to know which Aston Villa is going to turn up from week to week. It is still a much better effort than last year, but this is a team that has not quite elevated to the next stage yet.

Matty Cash is still unavailable for the home side, but, apart from that, Dean Smith has just about his entire squad to choose from. One name that will be one of the first on the starting eleven sheet will be Ollie Watkins. The striker has scored four in the last six games and is beginning to look right at home in the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers will be worrying about that statistic as he is forced to put out a second-string defense thanks to injuries to James Justin and Wesley Fofana. There is also a question over Timothy Castagne, so there is sure to be a rejig at the back on Sunday.

There is less to worry about upfront, where Jamie Vardy continues to be one of the stars of the EPL. He scored in the 3-1 win against Liverpool last weekend – and with James Maddison contributing so much from midfield, Leicester has a very good chance of remaining as one of the main challengers to Manchester City this season.

Leicester’s victory over Liverpool last Saturday was a real statement of intent from the Foxes that it can be regarded as one of the better teams in the EPL and can beat the very best. It does look as though Manchester City will win the title now, but Leicester must be a good bet for a Champions League place.