Leeds United will be keen to bounce back from defeat at Nottingham Forest as they return to Elland Road to face Aston Villa in Sunday’s Premier League encounter.
The Whites’ meeting with the Villans comes two weeks after the disappointing result in the East Midlands where United were beaten despite Lukas Nmecha’s well taken opener.
Daniel Farke’s side have continued their impressive home form since their return to the top-flight and last time out in West Yorkshire, the team rocketed into an early lead against West Ham thanks to goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon.
With Elland Road rocking under the lights, the Whites weathered late Hammers pressure to secure a third victory of the Premier League season.
United sit 16th in the standings after the first 11 matches, seven points behind 6th placed Aston Villa.
After a slow start to the season, boss Unai Emery has got Villa back on track emphatically, winning six league on the bounce.
The Midlands outfit were impressive last time out, recording a 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth with Emi Buendía, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen all on target for the hosts.
Two hugely historic clubs, Leeds and Villa have faced off 106 times. The Whites’ most recent victory came in a 3-0 win at Villa Park in 2020 that saw Patrick Bamford score a scintillating second half hattrick.
Action from the Elland Road gets underway at 2pm.
Team News:
Ahead of the clash, Farke issued a positive update on the availability of his squad, telling the press that every player in the group is available for selection.
All the players who were away on international duty have arrived back with a clean bill of health and, having returned to full team training, are in contention to start.
Last time we were here:
The view from inside the camp:
Previewing the match, Noah Okafor said: “I think we are really ready. The coach is preparing us well this week. I know it is not so easy after two losses but we must play with full confidence.
“We need to be a little bit more aware or awake in a few moments. As a team, we must defend together and we must go on offense together, use our weapons.
“In this league, the best league in the world, small details, when you are not 100 per cent ready for five seconds, these things can kill a game.
How to follow:
Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Sunday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 1:30pm with Jermaine Beckford and Simon Grayson in the studio! The match has also been selected for television coverage in the UK by Sky Sports.
Important supporter information:
Discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
To report an incident, text LEEDS along with any relevant information including ticket details, your name and description of an incident to 60006. You will then receive an automated response which means that your report has been logged and will then be looked into.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
What has Daniel Farke said ahead of the match?
League position:
Leeds: 16th
Villa: 6th
Top scorer:
Leeds: Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor & Joe Rodon (2)
Villa: Emi Buendía & Donyell Malen (3)
Officials:
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistant referees: Neil Davies & Wade Smith
Fourth official: Peter Bankes
Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Ian Hussin
