Leeds United will be bidding to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they make the trip to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on Friday evening.
The Whites are on a four-game winless run in the Premier League having drawn the last two matches, playing out a 0-0 with Newcastle United before a 2-2 draw with West Ham last time out. They came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Cardiff City in the FA Cup at the weekend, which should have pleased manager Jesse Marsch.
Nonetheless, Marsch and co. must quickly shift their focus to facing Aston Villa, who come into this fixture on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Stevenage in the FA Cup third round.
Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray and Stuart Dallas remain on the sidelines, but Patrick Bamford has a chance of returning to the Leeds United squad following injury.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier should return back in the Leeds goal on Friday having been rested in the FA Cup fixture against Cardiff City. The young Frenchman will be raring to put in a strong performance and keep a clean sheet at Villa Park.
Defence
In front of Meslier, a back four of Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk are expected to start. Kristensen should keep his place at right-back from the game against Cardiff City, while Struijk will move to left-back after operating as a centre-half at the weekend.
Koch and Cooper should be fresh to return to the starting XI after enjoying a much-needed rest on Sunday. The centre-back duo have to be at their best to stop Villa’s quick and physical forwards.
Midfield
Marc Roca and Tyler Adams should hold Leeds’ midfield, hoping to bring a semblance of control to the team’s play against Villa at Villa Park. Roca and Adams both have to be lively and industrious to help Leeds dominate Villa in the middle of the park.
Willy Gnonto has impressed in the last few games with his burst of pace, dynamism and unpredictability. He could start in the No.10 role.
Attack
Brenden Aaronson and Crysencio Summerville will have the onus of providing creativity and flair from wide areas, with Rodrigo leading the line again for the Whites. Rodrigo is Leeds’ top scorer and should be raring to get himself on the scoresheet again after scoring in the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.
Jack Harrison and Joe Gerhardt will be offensive options on the bench, hoping to make an impact if called upon by the manager in the second half.
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