Troy Deeney has singled out one Leeds United star for praise following the weekend's action.
Anton Stach has earned a place in Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week for BBC Sport following his performance against Aston Villa.
It was Stach who fired Leeds United in front with a sublime free-kick from distance in the 31st minute, catching out Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at his near post. But that was just one part of an excellent performance from Stach, who created two chances and put four crosses into the opposition box, while helping out defensively with one block, two interceptions, two clearances and six recoveries.
Unfortunately for the German midfielder, Leeds weren’t able to hold out, with Tammy Abraham netting an 88th-minute equaliser for the hosts, who are just about clinging to life in the Premier League title race. However, Stach more than deserves credit for his performance.
Anton Stach praised for performance in Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds
Stach certainly caught the eye of Deeney at Villa Park, with the former Watford and Birmingham striker praising his ‘really good’ performance, not to mention his long-distance effort to beat a World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
“I thought Leeds might falter and fall away. I think they have to be careful with these draws but he (Stach) was a really good performer against Aston Villa - and that free-kick he scored against a World Cup-winning goalkeeper in Emi Martinez means he goes in my team,” Deeney wrote, naming the Leeds man alongside the likes of Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in his Team of the Week.
Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week: Dean Henderson; Virgil van Dijk, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall; Nico O’Reilly, Anton Stach, Eberechi Eze, Diego Gomez; Zian Flemming, Viktor Gyokeres, Raul Jimenez.
Manager: Mikel Arteta.
What next for Leeds United?
Leeds have now lost just two of their last 14 Premier League matches and have moved six points clear of the relegation zone with just 11 games to go.
That said, Daniel Farke’s men cannot rest on their laurels as they face a tough test at home to Manchester City this Saturday at the start of a home triple-header, which will also see Norwich City visit Elland Road in the FA Cup, followed by Sunderland back in Premier League action.
March is then concluded with an away trip to Crystal Palace and a home tie against Brentford. If Leeds can keep picking up points during that period, they will almost certainly book their spot back in the top-flight for 2026/27.
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