‘Ready To Face It’ - Faes On Villa Challenge

- Leicester City travel to meet Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday
- Foxes defender Wout Faes previewed the 3pm kick-off with LCFC TV
- City currently sit 14th in the top-flight, while Villa are 11th
- Faes is taking confidence from the draw with Brighton & Hove Albion

Aston Villa host the Foxes in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at Villa Park. Brendan Rodgers’ side are heading into the all-Midlands encounter off the back of a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last time out in the top-flight.

Should he feature, it’ll be the first time that the Belgian centre-back has played at the stadium, which has become somewhat of a fortress for the Villans under new manager Unai Emery, unbeaten in four of their last five home league matches.

Speaking to LCFC TV earlier this week, Faes commented: “The last game against Brighton, we played a good game, because we know Brighton are doing well. There were some good parts to the game, and we were unlucky to take a goal at the end.

“It’s going to be a challenging game but every game in the Premier League is difficult, so that won’t change from other games. We go there to take the three points.

“When I’ve seen games there and from what I’ve heard, it’s a good atmosphere in the stadium, and it’ll be full, that’s what the lads told me.

“They’re on a good streak. They had some good results after they changed their manager, but I think we’re ready to face it. We trust ourselves and we trust our team-mates. We will go for it.”

City did return to winning ways last Saturday, overcoming Walsall in the Emirates FA Cup, courtesy of Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal at Bescot Stadium, though remain on the hunt for an elusive first league victory since the FIFA World Cup break.

The defender continued: “I think we have some confidence too seen as we had a good result in the FA Cup. Progression in the FA Cup helped, but of course confidence is still there, and the quality as well.”

On the significance of keeping a clean sheet, he added: “As a defender especially, but also as a team as well because I think it helps everyone. It was a special ground, they were close to the pitch, so it was a challenging game, but we managed it very well. And then we could maybe score more, but we passed through, so that’s the most important thing.”

A summer signing from Reims, Faes quickly became a key cog in the back four, making 14 league appearances to date and playing 90 minutes in each of those fixtures.

Now joined by defensive reinforcements Victor Kristiansen and Harry Souttar, as well as fellow January recruit Tetê, he believes plenty of quality has been added to the Foxes' ranks for the second half of the campaign.

“For me personally, it’s been very good," the 24-year-old revealed. "I’m very happy to be here still. I’ve been playing every game, which is very nice for me also. Now I’m really settled in now and there are some other new guys now.

“They lift everyone up. You straight away sense positive energy because other guys come in and they want to prove themselves. I think the guys who were here already might do even a little bit more in training to show that they’re here as well. So, I think it’s only a good thing to have new guys who will add quality to the group.

They are quality players. Victor has obviously been here for a little longer period, so we know him a little better, but Tetê, with his left foot, you see straight away is a very good player. Harry is a good addition to the backline.”

All times GMT.