Leeds United and Aston Villa have both been doing really well in the Championship of late. Aston villa have not lost a single game since the appointment of Steve Bruce and currently sit 11th in the table with 25 points, six points off the final playoff spot. Leeds, on the other hand, are sitting fifth with 29 points and it seems like they have a decent chance of earning promotion finally this season. They will need to bounce back after a mid-week defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup though, which will have had an impact on squad morale.
Leeds had a massive challenge in their most recent game, coming up against Jürgen Klopp’s title-challenging Liverpool in the EFL Cup. They were in no way pushovers against the Merseyside club, coming into the game calmly and matching their opponent for the entire first 45 minutes. They were full of confidence in the second half too but the quality of the Liverpool side took them through.
Aston Villa are on the back of a 3-1 win against Cardiff City from the last weekend and will be a strong opponent for Leeds. Here is the predicted Leeds United lineup against Aston Villa.
Defence
Veteran shot-stopper Robert Green will start between the sticks for the Whites ahead of Marco Silvestri. Leeds have been solid defensively this season with Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson impressing at the heart of the defence. Jansson missed the last game against Rotherham with suspension and was not involved in the Liverpool game.
Bartley is expected to keep his place which means Liam Cooper will sit out. Luke Ayling is expected to start at right-back ahead of Gaetano Berardi while Charlie Taylor is likely to keep his place at left-back.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane has been excellent in the middle of the park for the Whites this season and should keep their respective places. Phillips had an impressive game against Liverpool in the midweek after replacing O’Kane who was subbed off with a minor injury. The two are likely to pair up in the middle of the park. Youngster Ronaldo Vieira is likely to start as the number ten.
Attack
Souleymane Doukara is likely to start on the right flank after his impressive display against Liverpool. Kemar Roofe could take his place on the left. In-form Chris Wood is likely to lead the line for the Whites against Villa.
