Leeds United will look to leave behind their frustrating defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday when they travel to an in-form Aston Villa in the Premier League. With both the teams spending considerable time in the Championship over the last decade, they are well acquainted with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Being two of the oldest clubs in English football, Aston Villa and Leeds United have been clashing since the 1920s. With as many as 100 face-offs between them so far, Aston Villa have won 39 of them and lost 31 times.
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa, surprisingly, remain the only side in the Premier League with a 100 percent winning record so far this season, and they would intend to that for as long as possible. Dean Smith would be taking confidence from his side’s 1-0 win over a strong Leicester City side away from home, but he will be shorthanded with Tom Heaton and Wesley Moraes sidelined with injuries. Defender Kortney Hause could miss out on the fixture as well.
LEEDS UNITED
Leeds United’s impressive start to their Premier League was thwarted by an unlikely late winner by Raul Jimenez last week as Marcelo Bielsa’s men succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Wolves. While they will be desperate to get back to winning ways, it won’t be easy with star midfielder Kalvin Phillips out for long with a shoulder injury alongside Diego Llorente and Gaetano Berardi. Bielsa might also miss midfielder Adam Forshaw in their trip to Aston Villa.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Ross Barkley, Bertrand Traore, Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish
Leeds United (4-3-3): Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo Moreno, Helder Costa, Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison
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