Two former Premier League winners have delivered their verdicts on Leeds United's chances of claiming a win at Aston Villa.
Leeds United will hope to extend their unbeaten run to a fourth game in all competitions and boost their bid to remain in the Premier League with a positive result at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Since falling to a comprehensive home defeat against current league leaders Arsenal last month, Daniel Farke’s men have secured a 3-1 home win against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and earned a point for a hardworking display in a 2-2 draw at Champions League contenders Chelsea. A positive response to that loss against the Gunners continued last weekend when the Whites came through a testing FA Cup fourth round tie at Championship side Birmingham City with a win in a penalty shoot-out that has set up a fifth round home tie with Farke’s former club Norwich City.
All eyes are now on Villa Park this weekend as Leeds look to avenge a 2-1 home defeat they suffered against Villa in November and they travel to the Midlands knowing they face a sizeable task against Unai Emery’s men. Only Manchester City and Arsenal have a better home league record than Villa this season - although Saturday’s hosts did suffer a 3-1 defeat on their own patch last weekend as Newcastle United brought their FA Cup run to an end.
Ahead of the game, pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both delivered their predictions - and it doesn’t make for positive reading for Whites fans.
What has Paul Merson said about Aston Villa v Leeds United?
Paul Merson has been speaking about Leeds United.placeholder image
Paul Merson has been speaking about Leeds United. | Sky Sports
Writing for Sportskeeda, the former Arsenal forward said: Aston Villa are not playing their best football at the moment. But they are still winning games, which is all they need to do at this stage of the season. This is a big game coming up for them. Villa are only six points ahead of Chelsea in fifth. It's not a comfortable lead and a few results going against them could result in them losing out on a top five finish.
“Leeds United have been amazing in recent weeks. 10 weeks ago, we would have had them as favourites to get relegated. But they are now six points clear of West Ham in 18th and have both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest below them. I believe Leeds are far from calling themselves safe though. This is a big weekend in the relegation battle. If West Ham get a win at Bournemouth, I expect Leeds and a few other clubs to be dragged back into the battle to avoid the drop. Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Leeds United”
What has Chris Sutton said about Aston Villa v Leeds United?
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Sky Sports.
“Writing in his BBC Predictions column, the former Premier League winner said: I was at Elland Road when Aston Villa won there in November - Leeds were really good in the first half but faded, and two Morgan Rogers goals gave Villa the points. Leeds' form has picked up a lot since then, however, and they are on 30 points now.
“That would have been enough to keep them up last season, when third-bottom Leicester went down with 25 points, but they have still got some work to do. Villa have slipped up a couple of times at home in the past few weeks, losing unexpectedly to Everton and Brentford, and they are probably looking at the table thinking they should be breathing down leaders Arsenal's neck. I can see Leeds giving them another good game, but I don't see Unai Emery's side dropping points this time. Villa will find a way. Prediction: 2-1”
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