Leeds United will aim to end their sequence of five Premier League defeats on Thursday evening when they entertain Aston Villa at Elland Road.
The Whites narrowly lost 1-0 to Leicester City last weekend, which happened to be Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge after replacing Marcelo Bielsa.
So, Marsch will be expecting a response from his side against Aston Villa, who head to Elland Road off the back of two consecutive wins over Southampton and Brighton respectively.
The Lions, who are 11th in the table, will target to return home from Leeds with all three points.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa – Team News
Leeds United
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford will be on the bench for the second game running after recovering from a long-term foot injury. Diego Llorente is fit after a muscle strain, but Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are expected to return from their respective injuries after the international break. Meanwhile, Tyler Roberts is out for the season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured hamstring tendon.
🙌 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱!
🆚 Aston Villa
💬 #LEEAVL pic.twitter.com/tnbftrjXCK— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 10, 2022
Illan Meslier is a certainty in goal for the Whites, with a back four of Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente and Junior Firpo guarding the young Frenchman. Up ahead in midfield, Adam Forshaw will start alongside Robin Koch, adding an extra layer of protection to a leaky Leeds backline.
As Patrick Bamford will start the game on the bench and feature at some point, Jesse Marsch will likely go with the same front four against Aston Villa that started in the Whites’ 1-0 defeat to Leicester City last weekend—Raphinha, Rodrigo, Jack Harrison and Daniel James.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa defenders Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne are both available after missing the win over Southampton last weekend due to a bout of Covid-19. Carney Chukwuemeka is fit again after missing the last two games with a slight niggle.
A few changes will be offing in defence, with fit-again Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne replacing Calum Chambers and Ashley Young respectively. But Tyrone Mings and Matty Cash should retain their places at the back, with Emiliano Martinez donning the gloves.
Steven Gerrard will likely stick with his formula of playing three central midfielders in John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey in a bid to dominate possession against Leeds. Philippe Coutinho should start at the tip of the diamond, acting as the team’s creator-in-chief. Danny Ings should partner Ollie Watkins up front again and look to cause problems to the hosts’ backline.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa – Predicted Lineups
Leeds United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Junior Firpo; Robin Koch, Adam Forshaw; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Jack Harrison; Daniel James
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-3-1-2): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey; Philippe Coutinho; Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins
Leeds United vs Aston Villa – Key Players
Leeds United—Raphinha
When it comes to the Leeds United attack, one cannot look beyond Raphinha. The Brazilian winger may have gone off the boil in recent times but he has been the club’s best player by a distance in an otherwise wretched campaign. If the Whites are to get back to winning ways on Thursday, Marsch must hope Raphinha turns on the heat against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa—Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho has made an instant impact since arriving at Villa Park on loan from Barcelona in January. He was excellent in Villa’s 4-0 win over Southampton, further documenting his poise and class on the ball.
The Brazilian international could get a lot of joy in midfield due to Leeds’ tendency of leaving far too much space, and if he can find the likes of Watkins and Ings in the box constantly, Marsch’s side could be in for a hiding at Elland Road.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Aston Villa