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Sunday 23rd November 2:00pm | Elland Road
Aston Villa arrive at Elland Road this Sunday lunchtime brimming with confidence, as Unai Emery?s side look to make it six wins from their last seven Premier League outings. Victories over Fulham, Burnley, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Bournemouth have propelled them into joint second in the form guide with their only recent setback coming away at Liverpool.
Leeds, meanwhile, are in a far more precarious position, sitting just a point above the relegation zone. While their home form offers a glimmer of hope, only one defeat in five league matches at Elland Road, they have failed to beat Villa in their last five attempts, and the visitors have lost just once in their last eleven league trips to the ground.
Pressure is mounting on Daniel Farke, whose side has looked lethargic and uninspired in recent weeks, undoing much of the momentum they?d built earlier in the season. The German faces a number of selection headaches: questions remain over Lukas Perri?s availability after a midweek car accident, and he must decide who partners Joe Rodon in central defence; neither Jaka Bijol nor Pascal Struijk have particularly impressed this season.
Gabriel Gudmundsson?s ankle injury continues to limit his involvement, which could see James Justin make his first start for the Whites. Fresh from international break success, Dan James and Brenden Aaronsson will fight it out for the right wing role. James showed his class during Wales 7-1 drubbing of North Macedonia whilst Aaronsson's USA side showed up Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, thrashing them 5-1.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is under growing scrutiny, but is back in full training. Both Lucas Nmecha and Joel Piroe should get game time, especially if Leeds don't manage to hold their back line, and are made to chase the game. Skipper Ethan Ampadu?s dip in form adds another potential dilemma, though it would take courage to drop the captain, especially a his like for like replacement is Ilea Gruev!
Villa, in contrast, have a more settled feel. Emi Martinez is likely to line up in goal behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne, fitness updates for Cash and Konsa will be key after both reported minor issues over the international break. In midfield, Youri Tielemans may come in alongside Boubacar Kamara, while Ollie Watkins is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia, and John McGinn. For Leeds, this match feels like a fork in the road: a chance to claw back some belief, or sink deeper into trouble against one of the division?s most in-form sides.
We are getting a tanking.
Credit: motforum.com
MOT.
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