2021-22 Premier League: Week 28 – Leeds United vs Aston Villa

Leeds United look for their first win under Jesse Marsch in a rearranged home clash against Aston Villa at Elland Road.

Depending on results elsewhere, victory would see Leeds move as much as five points clear of the relegation zone but stay 16th.

Aston Villa meanwhile can go ninth with a win if Southampton fail to win elsewhere.

 

Team News

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Tyler Roberts is ruled out for Leeds until next season after suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend’s loss at Leicester.

Diego Llorente (hamstring) is a doubt but Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips (both hamstring) and Leo Fuhr (knee) all remain absent.

Villa could welcome Carney Chukwuemka back from an unspecified injury which forced him to miss Saturday’s 4-0 win over Southampton.

Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa are in contention to return after positive tests for Coronavirus kept them sidelined at the weekend.

Marvelous Nakamba (knee) remains absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Leeds have won two of their last five Premier League meetings against Aston Villa (W2, D1, L2).
• Villa are unbeaten in four of their last five Premier League visits to Elland Road (W2, D2, L1).
• The away team in both fixtures last season won without conceding a single goal – as Leeds won 3-0 at Villa Park in October 2020 before Villa won 1-0 at Elland Road in February 2021.
• All nine of Raphinha’s league goals for Leeds this season were scored on the Brazilian’s left foot.
• Ashley Young, Carney Chukwuemka and Leon Bailey have all been utilised as substitutes on more occasions in the league this season than any other Villa player, having made eight appearances off the bench.

 

Prediction

Although their winless run extended to five matches, Leeds can take plenty of positives from their first match under Jesse Marsch because they were excellent in attack and defensively but lacked the final touch, whilst a momentary slip of marking simply proved costly.

Villa meanwhile were absolutely rampant against Southampton with great movement and energy in their attacks, complete with clinical finishing and swivels in their technique so I am hoping that Villa can bring that quality into this game.

In fact if both teams bring their best attacking quality like they did at Villa Park last month then this could be another cracker, although I am going for an away win if Villa play like they did on Saturday.

Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Aston Villa