Aston Villa dey ready to welcome Leeds United to Villa Park this Saturday afternoon for Premier League action. The hosts dey look to complete their first top-flight double over the Whites since 2000, after winning 2-1 at Elland Road three months ago.
Match Preview
Aston Villa don again fail pass FA Cup fourth round, losing 3-1 at home to Newcastle last weekend. All three goals dem concede come after red card for goalkeeper Marco Bizot in first-half stoppage time. Despite FA Cup disappointment, head coach Unai Emery don stress say Premier League na priority for season.
The Midlands club don collect 50 points from 26 league matches this term (W15 D5 L6), same level wey dem achieve only two other times: 2008-09 (51 in 25 games) and 2023-24 (52 in 26 games). Last league match, Villa beat Brighton 1-0 at home. Sitting third, Villa fit move within five points of league leaders Arsenal if dem secure three points. Top-five finish and Champions League qualification still main objective, eight points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool.
Villa fit dey confident as dem never lose in last six Premier League meetings with Leeds (W4 D2) and dem never lose any of 18 top-flight matches versus promoted clubs under Emery (W14 D4).
Leeds, on the other hand, don qualify for FA Cup fifth round after beating Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties following 1-1 draw. Next match for FA Cup, dem go face Norwich City at home.
For Premier League, Leeds don show mixed form. Since December, only Man City and Man United (one loss each) don lose fewer games than Leeds (two losses), but dem get most draws (seven) in same period. One draw na 2-2 comeback versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Villa need caution as Leeds get strong long-throw threat: first for long throws into box (62), shots following throws (20), xG from these shots (3.03) since December. Captain Ethan Ampadu lead in number of throws (55). But away form weak – only one win from last 18 league away games (3-1 vs Wolves in September), though dem draw five of last six away.
Team News
Aston Villa: Injuries dey plenty – Youri Tielemans (ankle), Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Alysson (all knee), Harvey Elliott (unspecified). Marco Bizot suspended. Matty Cash dey back from knee injury, expected to start at right-back replacing Lamare Bogarde. Morgan Rogers expected to play advanced central role behind striker Ollie Watkins, flanked by Jadon Sancho and Emiliano Buendia.
Leeds United: Noah Okafor injured (hamstring). Pascal Struijk, Anton Stach (hip) and Daniel James (back) dey available. Struijk fit start alongside Joe Rodon and James Justin in back three. Stach likely battle Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff for midfield role. Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to lead attack with support from Brenden Aaronson and possibly Willy Gnonto.
Possible Lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Leeds United: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Gnonto, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin
Prediction
We dey expect Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United. Leeds don show say dem fit make matches tight recently, but Villa get upper hand for home. Given say only seven goals don score in Villa’s last six Premier League matches (4 for, 3 against), tight contest fit happen, but hosts likely go secure three points this weekend.
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