Leeds United claimed an impressive 3-0 away win against Aston Villa in October. Marcelo Bielsa’s team’s form continues to be hot and cold, but on Saturday, the manager will hope his side can do the double over the Villains.
The Whites secured a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa courtesy of three goals from Patrick Bamford. The striker is in great form and is coming off of a goal against Southampton in a 3-0 win on matchday 25.
100% minutes played (𝟮𝟬𝟳𝟬)#️⃣2️⃣ for clean sheets (𝟭𝟮)#️⃣4️⃣ for shots saved (𝟴𝟵)What a season @EmiMartinezz1 is having in the Premier League. 💪 pic.twitter.com/M3R1dCtHdw— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 25, 2021
100% minutes played (𝟮𝟬𝟳𝟬)#️⃣2️⃣ for clean sheets (𝟭𝟮)#️⃣4️⃣ for shots saved (𝟴𝟵)What a season @EmiMartinezz1 is having in the Premier League. 💪 pic.twitter.com/M3R1dCtHdw
Aston Villa are winless in two straight games and lost last weekend to Leicester City, 2-1, at home. The Villains have been inconsistent since December. They go into the weekend having taken seven points from their last 18 on offer.
Leeds United took nine points from the last 18 available. They outscored opponents 11-8 during that timeframe. Bielsa will hope his side can find consistency. A win would take them above Aston Villa in the standings.
Bielsa’s team are not out of the running for European qualification. They are eight points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and five back of sixth-placed Liverpool.
Aston Villa are also in the mix for European qualification. They were fighting for the top four early on, but the good winning form is over. They have regressed into the team they were always expected to be this campaign: a mid-table side.
Bielsa has injury issues as eight players are now on the club’s list of walking wounded. Robin Koch, Gaetano Berardi, Rodrigo, Adam Forshaw, Ian Poveda-Ocampo, Kavin Phillips, and Jamie Shackleton are all ruled out; while Mateusz Klich could return to the squad for the game.
Dean Smith has fewer issues with injuries but Jack Grealish’s calf injury could be a bigger blow than any that Bielsa has at Elland Road. Grealish is a doubt at the moment but could be passed fit in time for the game.
Full-back Matty Cash is ruled out with a thigh injury. Kortney Hause and Wesley remain out with long-term injuries.
Leeds United shocked what was an in-form Aston Villa in October, 3-0, away from home. The Whites are good on their day and should once again claim a win against Dean Smith’s team.
If Grealish does miss out on the match, Aston Villa will be without their talisman, making their attempts to end a two-game winless streak more difficult. Leeds United may not put three goals past Aston Villa, but they will get a win and leapfrog the Villains in the table.