Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League this evening with both sides needing a win to kick-start their new year.
Both sides were in FA Cup action at the weekend with Leeds scoring late through Sonny Perkins to force a replay against Cardiff City. Villa, on the other hand, were dumped out of the competition when they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to League two Stevenage.
Jesse Marsch will be hoping his players replicate the grit and determination that saw them come back from behind to salvage a point against West Ham and hold Newcastle to a 0-0 draw at St James Park, claiming two valuable points against tough opposition. However, for all the good results the Whites have had lately, they are still winless since the start of November. Leeds currently sit in 14th place with 17 points from as many games whilst the hosts currently occupy 11th spot with 22 points from 18 games.
Aston Villa recorded an impressive 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day but then had to come from behind to salvage a point against Wolves last week. They will be hoping to bounce back in this fixture and now with only the Premier League to concentrate on, that could help Unai Emery’s side climb the table. The Villans are unbeaten in their last four games with Leeds, including the goalless draw at Elland Road earlier in the season.
The hosts will again be without John McGinn (Hamstring) and Diego Carlos (Achilles), whilst Leander Dendoncker will be missing through suspension. Matty Cash and Ludwig Augustinsson both had to be replaced in the cup game with Stevenage but are expected to return.
Emiliano Buendia, Ashley Young, Ollie Watkins, Lucas Digne, Emiliano Martinez, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are all set to return to the first team.
Leeds coach Jesse Marsch is expected to make changes to the side that drew with Cardiff City on the weekend, Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Rodrigo Moreno are all set to be recalled for the trip.
Patrick Bamford will be included in the squad after a long layoff but long-term absentees Luis Sinisterra, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray are all still sidelined as well as Adam Forshaw and Crysencio Summerville after the latter picked up an ankle injury in the Cardiff game.
New signing Max Wober will be hoping for a first Premier League start for his new club after coming on and impressing as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Possible teams:
Aston Villa: Martinez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Cash, Kamara, Luiz, Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.
Leeds United: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Roca, Adams; Aaronson, Gnonto, Harrison, Rodrigo.
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett. Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.
Vital Leeds Score Prediction: Aston Villa 1 (Watkins) Leeds 1 (Rodrigo).
Villa Park, Friday 13th January 8 pm Kick-off.
Check out the new Vital Football Podcast below.