The Lowdown: Dean Smith's Impressive Aston Villa
Following a comeback victory over Liverpool last weekend, which maintained the Foxes' position of third in the top flight standings, Leicester's next test comes against a Villa side who have enjoyed a successful first half of the season.
Ahead of the fixture in Birmingham, LCFC.com assesses the opposition, including Villa's first team squad, manager and recent form, as well as a look back at their history...
The squad
Following a narrow escape from relegation last season, Villa moved to strengthen their squad to great effect in the summer transfer window.
The forward line was bolstered by the arrival of Ollie Watkins from Sky Bet Championship Play-Off finalists Brentford for a reported fee of £27M, and with the acquisition of former Chelsea winger Bertrand Traoré, from Lyon. Watkins has been a revelation in his first top flight campaign, featuring in all 22 Premier League games and scoring 10 goals in the process.
Meanwhile, at the back, defender Matty Cash was signed from Nottingham Forest, while former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez joined as their new no.1, and has amassed an impressive 12 clean sheets so far in 2020/21.
England midfielder Ross Barkley also became a Villa player, signing on loan from Chelsea, joining up with Three Lions team-mate Tyrone Mings. The backline is protected by the likes of Douglas Luiz and box-to-box midfielder John McGinn.
Further forward, captain and talismanic figure Jack Grealish is the side's top goal contributor, netting six times along with 10 assists - only Harry Kane has more in the Premier League in 2020/21.
The manager
During a career that spanned across three decades, Dean Smith made over 500 appearances as a centre-back, representing five clubs in the process.
Smith made his debut for Walsall in 1989, before going on to play for Hereford United, Leyton Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale, where he retired in 2005.
He then returned to Walsall in 2011 to take charge of the Saddlers, who he managed for four years and won two League 1 Manager of the Month accolades.
In November, 2015, he was appointed manager of Championship outfit Brentford, who he guided to two ninth and one 10th-placed finish before moving to Aston Villa.
Smith took over at Villa Park in October 2018, and in the same season gained promotion after winning the Championship Play-Offs thanks to a 2-1 victory over Derby County in the final.
Smith masterminded some memorable Premier League results in 2019/20 to help Villa survive relegation on the final day, including a 5-1 win over Norwich City and a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Villains finished in 17th, one place and one point above the drop zone, beating West Ham United 2-1 on the final day to remain in the top flight.
Form guide
Villa have lost just one of their last four fixtures, beating both Southampton and Arsenal 1-0, completing a league double over the Gunners, either side of a 3-1 home defeat to West Ham United.
Their last outing in the Premier League, meanwhile, was a goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at AMEX Stadium last weekend, which leaves Villa on 36 points after 22 games, already accumulating more points than they did across the whole of last season.
Earlier in the campaign, Villa took part in one of the most remarkable Premier League games in history, thrashing champions Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park, with a hat-trick from Ollie Watkins, as well as two goals and a hat-trick of assists for Jack Grealish, ahead of his maiden England international call-up. John McGinn and Ross Barkley completed the scoring on a memorable night for Aston Villa.
Previous encounters
It was Villa who came out on top in the last meeting between the two sides, as Ross Barkley's injury-time goal at King Power Stadium earned the visitors a 1-0 win.
Last season, in the final Premier League game played before the pause in English football, City defeated Villa 4-0 at King Power Stadium in March 2020. A brace apiece for Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy settled the match, which got the Foxes back to winning ways, but left Villa in the relegation zone.
That result also completed a league double over the Midlands club, who were beaten 4-1 at Villa Park in December 2019, thanks to Leicester goals from Kelechi Iheanacho, Jonny Evans and Vardy (2).
However, Villa did get the better of City in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final a month later, with Mahmoud Trézéguet's late winner in the second leg sealing progression into the final, via a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.
The Foxes have the better overall record against Sunday's opponents, winning 43 of the 103 competitive fixtures between the two sides, with Villa triumphing on 35 occasions and a draw being played out 25 times, since the first meeting in 1905.
Trophy cabinet
Aston Villa have enjoyed a successful history in the game, having won seven top-flight titles and as many FA Cups.
They have also won five League Cups, two more than Leicester, with their 1996 title proving to be their most recent major honour.
Away from domestic achievements, they lifted the European Cup in 1981 after a famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich thanks to Peter Withe's solitary effort in Rotterdam, before going on to beat Barcelona to claim the European Super Cup.
The stadium
With a capacity of just over 42,000, Villa Park is the 11th-largest stadium in England and has been the home of Aston Villa since 1897.
Villa Park has hosted an incredible 55 FA Cup Semi-Finals, the most of any stadium, and has also seen England play there on 16 occasions.
In addition, the last ever UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final was played out there in 1999, when Lazio beat Mallorca 2-1 after goals from Christian Vieri and Pavel Nedvěd.
Upcoming fixtures
After Sunday's clash, Dean Smith's side visit Elland Road to face Leeds United on Saturday 27 February (5:30pm kick-off).
Villa begin March with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 6 March, ahead of taking on Newcastle United at St. James' Park the following Saturday (both 3pm kick-off).
They then face Fulham (H), Liverpool (A), Manchester City (H) and West Bromwich Albion (H) during April.
All times GMT.