Aston Villa welcome Leeds United to Villa Park in midweek Premier League action.
Victory would see Villa climb to tenth for at least 24 hours, whilst Leeds could go 13th with a win if Brentford and Crystal Palace lose elsewhere.
Team News
Leon Bailey is still ruled out for Aston Villa as he rebuilds his match fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore are set to also be in contention after returning from international duty but Marvelous Nakamba (knee) remains absent.
Leeds could welcome Jamie Shackleton (Achilles), Adam Forshaw (hamstring) and Charlie Cresswell (shoulder) back into contention.
Raphinha could feature if he is declared match fit after returning from international duty with an ankle injury.
Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips (all hamstring), Patrick Bamford (foot) and Sam Greenwood (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have lost two of their last six Premier League meetings against Leeds (W2, D2, L2).
- Leeds have avoided defeat in four of their last five Premier League visits to Villa Park (W3, D1, L1).
- Both meetings last season were won by the away team at Villa Park and Elland Road respectively.
- Matty Cash has had more touches on the ball than any other Villa player in the Premier League this season, having achieved 1,242 touches in 21 league appearances.
- Coming into this round of fixtures, Leeds’ Illan Meslier has produced more throw-outs than any other Premier League goalkeeper, having completed 143 throw-outs in 21 appearances.
Prediction
With both teams having not been in FA Cup action last weekend, I am expecting both teams to come here ready for a battle despite contrastable league positions.
Villa were excellent in their win at Everton last time out with fantastic energy and movement across passes and crosses in attack, whilst defending well when needed with Emiliano Martinez showing brilliant awareness to bravely make saves away from goal.
Leeds meanwhile were aggressive in their attack against Newcastle but lacked the final touch which proved the difference, with their lapse in defensive focus from a free kick proving costly despite solid overall defending.
Patience therefore feels like it will be key throughout this match because I expect Leeds to try and impose their aggressive style quickly, whilst Villa soak it up and try to cause issues with their movement and energetic pace on the counter-attack so first goal will be crucial.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds United
Result: Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United
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