Leeds United’s fans are in disagreement on Saturday’s clash at Aston Villa.
Leeds United visit a Saturday afternoon trip to Aston Villa in the next game of the club’s Premier League survival bid - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say including disagreement on the predictions front, a call for a Whites pair to start together and the team’s ‘biggest problem’ at present.
DAVID WATKINS
The visit to Villa Park this weekend provides yet another tough test for a Leeds side that has defied many odds in the last couple of months.
Just twice in 15 games have Leeds tasted defeat since that half-time epiphany at the Etihad.
In fact, during that period, we only really failed to perform at home against Arsenal, despite playing the cream of the Premier League during that period.
Having survived visits to Brentford, Sunderland, Liverpool and Chelsea along the way, as well as almost pulling off a famous victory at St James’ Park, then Villa Park should hold no fear.
But I’m in two minds about this one. Those performances already noted give confidence, but Villa have the third-best home record so far this season; only Manchester City and Arsenal have earned more points at home or won more games.
So, my guess is this will be our biggest challenge since we visited the top two.
Villa lost at home in the FA Cup last weekend to Newcastle, although they did make seven changes from their regular Premier League XI, and reserve keeper Marco Bizot was red-carded just before half-time.
On balance, I think this might prove to be a challenge too far for the Mighty Whites.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3 Leeds United 1.
KEITH INGHAM
Last weekend’s victory in the FA Cup at Birmingham City now brings Norwich City to Elland Road in round five.
It’s been a while - in the early noughties - for a chance to get to round six if memory serves me right. It’s a game that hopefully Leeds can win and do just that.
Saturday sees United travel back to the Midlands to face third-placed Aston Villa who are having a great season after a poor start to the season.
They have plenty of players that have international experience and look a good bet to secure a Champions League place next season.
It’s hard to imagine that those who started last weekend will be included in Leeds’ starting XI for the game.
Karl Darlow will probably return in goal, with the usual defence, as Pascal Struijk has recovered from his injury.
With Noah Okafor out with a hamstring injury, maybe this is the game to play Lukas Nmecha alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 17-goal pair certainly give Leeds a threat to worry the Villa defence.
The 17-goal pair certainly give Leeds a threat to worry the Villa defence.
My heart says that Leeds can at least get a point but my head thinks that Villa might have too much for us. Let’s hope the heart is right and we get something out of the game.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Leeds United 1 (head), Aston Villa 1 Leeds United 1 (heart).
Now for another trip to Birmingham, this time to high-flying Aston Villa.
Villa join Arsenal and Spurs as one of the three sides to win at Elland Road this season, so the Whites will be looking for revenge.
The Villains were controversially knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend but they’re enjoying a good run in the Europa League where they are joint top with Lyon.
More importantly, they stand third in the Premier League, only three points behind Manchester City so this one will be a big challenge.
Boss Unai Emery has worked wonders in the West Midlands and can now be regarded as one of the best managers in Europe.
For United to come away from Villa Park with anything at all will be a major achievement but it shouldn’t be for the want of trying.
Dependent upon fitness, the side almost picks itself in most areas but after Lucas Perri’s performance at Birmingham City in the FA Cup, Daniel Farke has a big decision to make between the sticks.
Whatever the manager’s choices. you can be sure that the Whites will give Villa a run for their money!
Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Leeds United 2.
ANDY RHODES
With Leeds United safely through to the fifth round of the FA Cup, focus turns again to Premier League survival and a trip to Aston Villa.
Villa, having looked like potential title challengers not too long ago, are now experiencing a dip in form with just one win in five.
That said, they remain strong at home while Leeds are far from solid away.
Having had a tough time of it in the second city last week, Daniel Farke will be hoping Leeds can assert themselves more this time.
Lukas Nmecha was excellent at Birmingham City, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued to be a handful.
The Whites’ biggest problem at the moment is the lack of a stable defensive line.
Farke has been forced into too many changes at the back and, when you’re in a relegation battle, consistency is essential.
Being solid at the back will be crucial in this game.
Villa are a dynamic, high-quality side so Leeds will need to be at their best to get a result.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Leeds United 0.
MIKE GREWER
Leeds United visit the second city for the second time in a week following last week’s ultimately enjoyable FA Cup encounter which gave opportunity to second-string players to stake a first-team berth.
But whilst the penalty shootout victory was welcome, it was achieved despite some below-par performances from those hoping to impress.
So whilst Daniel Farke has shown, for many, surprising flexibility in team selection and tactics in recent months, the team on Saturday will reflect recent Premier League selections.
And an improvement in performance from the past two games will be required to gain anything from Villa Park.
However, Leeds have shown resilience and great mental strength in recent games and combined with results since December they will be confident.
Villa have been vulnerable at home recently so the home crowd will be anxious and nervous.
Leeds must not concede early and I expect Farke will set up his team “defensively” at the start (although hopefully better organised than at Chelsea).
The return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Pascal Struijk will strengthen the spine of the starting XI.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1 Leeds United 1.
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