MATCH PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V ASTON VILLA

MATCH PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V ASTON VILLA

We look ahead to Friday’s Sky Bet Championship clash.

Leeds United welcome Aston Villa to Elland Road on Friday evening (7:45pm) in the Sky Bet Championship, with Thomas Christiansen’s side looking for a third victory in four matches, following the international break.  After an indifferent start, Aston Villa who were favourites to win promotion ahead of the campaign getting underway, have climbed into the Play-Off spots over recent weeks.  With promotions from the Championship with Birmingham City and Hull City, Steve Bruce is looking to lead a team to the top flight for the fifth time with Villa.


League position

Leeds United: 8th

Aston Villa: 4th

 

Recent form

Leeds United: LLWLW

Aston Villa: WLWWW

 

Head to head

Leeds United wins: 30

Draws: 28

Aston Villa wins: 38

 

Last time at Elland Road

Saturday 3rd December 2016

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 2 (Roofe 68, Wood 90+4)

Aston Villa 0

Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe (pictured above) scored his first goal for the club, to help the Whites run out 2-0 winners against Aston Villa at Elland Road almost a year ago.  After some great build up, Roofe beat Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini  to head home Souleymane Doukara’s neat cross.  Leeds wrapped up the points with virtually the last kick of the game, Hadi Sacko sped down the pitch before going through on goal, he shot and the ball trickled under Gollini and Chris Wood smashed home to seal the victory.

 

Team news

Leeds United midfielder Ronaldo Vieira is available for selection once again after serving a one match suspension against Barnsley.  Pierre-Michel Lassoga and Stuart Dallas who both missed the trip to Oakwell are again ruled out.  Friday’s opponents Aston Villa have somewhat of an injury crisis.  Keinan Davies is Villa’s only fit striker with forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan all injured.  Captain John Terry was injured in Villa’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the start of November, whilst Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak lasted just 26 minutes of last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

 

The key battle

Samuel Saiz v Robert Snodgrass

Spanish forward Saiz has become an instant hit at Leeds United following his summer move from Huesca.  He netted his ninth goal of the season against Barnsley and has been a constant threat for the Whites throughout the campaign.  Scottish playmaker Snodgrass is a players Leeds supporters know only too well, after helping the Whites win promotion from League One in 2010.  Villa’s loan signing of the Scot at the end of August from West Ham United was seen as a major coup.  The 30-year-old has scored two goals and provided five assists during his first 14 games for the club.

 

Betting odds with Ladbrokes

Leeds United 13/8

Draw 21/10

Aston Villa 7/4

 

Live commentary

You can listen to live commentary with Thom Kirwin and Eddie Gray on LUTV.  Build up will begin from 6:45pm.

 

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