Aston Villa vs. Leeds: Villa move forward following euphoric victory
By Josh Tonti
Following Aston Villa’s euphoric defeat of Cardiff City, the club, again, hosts an opponent at Villa Park. Paul Heckingbottom’s Leeds United come to town.
Jack Grealish’s wonder-strike against Cardiff City goes down as an all-time Aston Villa moment.
Prince William, Neil Warnock, promotion on the line, sublime volley. The goal had all the makings of a terrific storyline – one that will live on in memory for a very long time. But, we are approaching the end of the league season and Villa have another quick turnaround with a contest against Leeds United on Friday.
Leeds, comfortably mid-table, have collected a single point from their previous three contests. On Tuesday, Preston North End scored three unanswered in a 3-1 victory. On the season, The Whites have utilized a total of 31 different player in league play, including three goalkeepers. German forward Pierre-Michel Lasogga is the joint-leading scorer on ten goals alongside do-it-all midfielder Kemar Roofe. But unlike Roofe, Lasogga has his tally in just 1,850 minutes of football, often appearing from the bench.
For Villa, the teamsheet should be very similar to the one against Cardiff. John Terry could probably play if it were a “must-win” game, but he will likely sit this one out. Meanwhile, Birkir Bjarnason was a late scratch from the previous starting lineup; Glenn Whelan filled in admirably following an injury in warm-ups. Axel Tuanzebe was injured in the match while Alan Hutton is still closing in on a return.
Projected Aston Villa XI: Johnstone; Elmohamady, Chester (c), Jedinak, Bree; Whelan, Snodgrass, Grealish, Hourihane, Adomah; Grabban.
Substitutes: Bunn, Samba, Lansbury, Onomah, Green, Hogan, Kodjia.
Don’t fix what isn’t broken? I suppose that is the mantra going into Friday. James Bree filled in admirably at left back on a moment’s notice (he was Whelan’s replacement on the bench, and eventually Tuanzebe’s substitute in the 30th-minute). With Mile Jedinak likely reprising his role at center back, Glenn Whelan gets another spin as Aston Villa’s number six. Chris Samba serves as the reserve defender.
WHEN: Friday, April 13th; 19:45 GMT
WHERE: Villa Park, Birmingham
This one is live on Sky Sports so tune in!