Leeds United Pose Friday Night Threat
Leeds United are the next test for Steve Bruce and Villa. With a Friday night television game away at Elland Road, we get the opportunity to close the gap on Sheffield United. Having won the last three games in a row, as well as winning the last two away games, this is massive opportunity to do more than just keep streaks alive. In order to win the game, Villa must overcome a mounting injury list as well as a raucous Leeds crowd.
Steve Bruce’s pre-game press conference brought the news that Mile Jedanak is out for the next few weeks and could be sidelined for far longer. Bruce was keen to stress that this was a big game at the start of a busy December period for Villa. With six games in the month, Villa will be tested by their proclivity to lose players to injury as much as their opponents’ abilities.
Our opponents, Leeds United, have had an inconsistent time at home this season. Currently sitting in eighth place, the Yorkshire club are six points behind Villa but have lost four of their last six games. In those defeats, two came within four days of each other at Elland Road. Leeds are due to name an unchanged team from last weekend as Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are both still injured. Lasogga’s absence is a bonus whilst Samuel Sáiz will be a danger from midfield for the home side.
Albert Adomah will be the main target for Leeds if they have designs on winning the game. Luke Ayling will have the task of shutting Adomah down. The Leeds defender must stop Adomah getting into scoring positions and keep him out wide. Christopher Samba will play in the centre once again whilst John Terry is sidelined. Keinan Davis will lead the lineup front and this will be a good test to see how he steps up with the TV cameras upon him.
Villa’s record at Elland Road has not been great in recent times. It was December 2000 when Villa took three points at Leeds but there has been a large gap between last year’s Championship clash and the previous games in the Premier League. It was almost a year ago when two errors were punished by two goals and Villa slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
In summary, Villa have a difficult but winnable game at Leeds. The home side will want to turn their home form around. A passionate and noisy crowd will spur them on but these are the type of games that will define where Steve Bruce’s men sit in the promotion pecking order. Despite the adversity, Villa have an opportunity to set a marker down to their rivals but also for themselves. Three points to start December could be the fillip that Villa need to push on.
WHEN: Friday, December 1, 2017 @ 7:45pm GMT / 2:45pm EST
WHERE: Elland Road
PREDICTION: 2-1 Aston Villa victory
It will be a tight and feisty contest with both defences having questions asked of them. With Leeds home form being inconsistent, and Villa’s form being on the rise, it should result in Villa keeping the run going. Just.