BUILD-UP
Aston Villa make the tough away trip to Elland Road to play Leeds United, managed by the newly appointed Jesse Marsch, in game-week 20’s re-arranged fixture in the Premier League.
Last time out, the Villans were victorious at home against Southampton, after four fine strikes from Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz, Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings. It was a dominant performance from the claret and blue side against one of the most in-form teams in the league, with Southampton unbeaten in seven prior to Saturday’s thrashing.
Steven Gerrard and his team head to West Yorkshire full of confidence having won two on the bounce now, and come up against a Leeds United side who are currently flirting with relegation.
Marcelo Bielsa, who had been at Leeds for the last four years and achieved the difficult task of promotion with the Whites, was relieved of his duties just over a week ago, and the American Head Coach Jesse Marsch is now the man at the forefront of the club.
Marsch, previously of RB Leipzig, has only been in charge of the club since February 28th, and was on the losing side in his debut game after falling to defeat against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City by a goal to nil last weekend.
Villa and Leeds faced each other just weeks ago, in what was a contender for game of the season after a dramatic, high-scoring affair that saw both teams come from behind at different stages throughout, eventually finishing 3-3 at Villa Park.
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Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey starred together in that game for the home side, and it was Dan James who stole the show for the visitors after scoring a first-half brace. Ezri Konsa saw red in the closing stages for a second bookable offence also.
We are bound to see another thrilling game that is jam-packed with goals and full of action, but can Steven Gerrard’s men make it three from three on the road, or will Jesse Marsch earn his side a valuable win at home?
Let’s take a look at the side’s team news heading into this one…
TEAM NEWS
The upcoming Leeds United fixture may come too soon for defenders Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa, who missed the recent win over Southampton due to COVID reasons. Calum Chambers and Ashley Young started in their place and both put in respectable performances to help Villa on their way to victory.
Carney Chukwuemeka was another name to miss the Saints fixture, and having missed the trip to Graham Potter’s Brighton & Hove Albion the week before, his return date is currently up in the air too. Steven Gerrard confirmed that “he’s got an outside chance of being involved against Leeds”, in Southampton’s pre-match press conference, and so the 18 year-old may well be involved on Thursday.
Bertrand Traore made his first Aston Villa match-day squad since the start of January last Saturday, and will look to gain more minutes on top of the mere 180 minutes he has tallied up for the club so far this campaign. Marvelous Nakamba continues to miss action with his long-term knee injury.
Aside from that, there have been no fresh injury concerns for Villa since their last game, so let’s take a look at this week’s opponents team news…
Injuries have haunted Leeds United in the 21/22 Premier League campaign, leading to a a decline in performances, results and significantly league position compared to last season.
20/21 top goal scorer Patrick Bamford has played just six times for the club this season, and his side’s lack of goals come at his absence’s expense. The No.9 did make the bench in their latest defeat at the hands of Leicester City however, and is expected to make Jesse Marsch’s starting eleven on Thursday night. This return could be crucial for Leeds United, and Steven Gerrard and his team will have to tread carefully with Bamford on the field, given his fine record against the Villans.
Welsh international Tyler Roberts will miss the fixture due to a hamstring injury picked up following the Leicester City defeat after what was described as a “robust challenge” with the Foxes’ Daniel Amartey, and the midfielder will play no part in the remainder of Leeds’ season as a result.
The trio of Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Kalvin Phillips all face questionable returns to the match-day squad, with all three coming back from their respective lengthy injuries. Phillips and Cooper have recently returned to training having both faced spells on the sidelines with hamstring injuries, and Thursday’s clash with Villa seems as if it will come too soon for the two. Llorente however, may be involved after Marsch confirms the Spaniard should “be back for at least one of the two matches over the next seven days” – meaning either the clash with Villa or Sunday’s important fixture against fellow relegation-strugglers Norwich City.
Aside from this, Jesse Marsch will have a full squad to choose from, and key forwards Raphinha and Jack Harrison are expected to start in a front three, with Patrick Bamford at the top of the triangle.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at Villa’s mid-week opposition…
THE OPPOSITION
It is difficult to pick apart and delve into Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United, having only played one game under the new Coach, but there are certainly some clear differences and aspects of the recent Leicester defeat compared to the football we have seen from United over the years under Marcelo Bielsa.
‘Bielsa-ball’ was notoriously risky and often left large gaps in the defensive shape of the side; a component of the Argentine’s system that ultimately cost him his job. Leeds have leaked 61 goals this season, and sit on a -32 goal difference as a result – a staggering figure from a side who finished mid-table last season and only conceded 54 goals over the 38 game campaign.
The relegation candidates have also been far from impressive at the other end of the pitch, and have only managed 29 goals in the 27 games they have played – a little over 1 goal per game. Of course, their injuries woes have played a major part this season, and the absence of last year’s top goal scorer Patrick Bamford has been felt, but the Whites’ chance creation statistics have been poor regardless, and players like Raphinha and Rodrigo have not been good enough in the final third.
Leeds United fans can be encouraged by their side’s performance in Marsch’s first game at the King Power Stadium, despite the result. This is because there was a significant rise in the number of chances created and attempts at goal. The West Yorkshire side also limited Leicester to just the four attempts at goal of their own, and if it wasn’t for Harvey Barnes’ quality in the box for the solo goal of the game, they could have easily taken something from the fixture.
The away side looked more compact as a unit and less vulnerable when dispossessed – a key component for a side fighting for their life near the bottom of the table. Leeds currently sit in 16th and just two points above Burnley who have played a game less than the Whites, and so every game from now until the end of the season is a big one for Marsch and his side.
Patrick Bamford remained on the bench in the recent defeat, but his imminent return will be a big boost for the side and he will have a big part to play in the final run in of the season. The lack of quality up top has definitely stunted Leeds, and Bamford’s goals could be the differential to keep them in the Premier League for next season.
Marsch will also hope to welcome back midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the coming weeks – another key player who has missed most of the campaign through injury, and another whose time away from the side has been felt and has hit United hard. Robin Koch has played the holding midfielder role throughout the season, as has Pascal Struijk and Adam Forshaw, but the quality and assurance that the England international brings has certainly been missed and like Bamford, is a big reason as to why Leeds are near the foot of the table.
Can the arrival of Jesse Marsch invigorate the under performing Leeds United, and accompanied with the likely return of star-man Patrick Bamford lead the Whites to a first home victory since January 2nd, or will the quality of Steven Gerrard’s in-form Aston Villa prove too much for the struggling side?
Let’s take a look at my take on this big game…
FINAL THOUGHTS
Things look nice for Steven Gerrard’s men at the moment: two consecutive victories against sides around them, six goals scored and two clean sheets to top it off, but Leeds United are always a tough side to play, and based off Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge last weekend, they will be no easy feat, and a much harder side to break down than before.
Elland Road is also an extremely difficult place to visit, due to the incredibly intimidating and electric atmosphere that the Leeds faithful create on match-days. This Villa squad has traveled near and far, visiting many daunting stadiums this season however, and picked up results along the way, proving their character in difficult games and their ability to face adversity.
Many players in the team are playing some of their best football of the season too, e.g. Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, and coupled with the terrific talent that is Philippe Coutinho, Aston Villa must exercise the use of these individuals and play to the team’s attacking strengths. Getting the ‘little magician’ on the ball as often as possible will always be the go-to play as he creates numerous openings and makes things happen when in possession, signified through his outstanding creative performance in the 4-0 rout over Southampton on the weekend.
I think this fixture provides the perfect opportunity for Emiliano Buendía to return to the starting side. Emiliano Martinez recently revealed his Argentinian teammate is often told to “calm down” by his comrades due to the ‘competitive nature’ shown in the mid-week sessions at Bodymoor Heath. Martinez was interviewed by fellow Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster, and told plenty of interesting stories about Steven Gerrard’s training routines that breeds competition within the side.
Mid-week games have not really been a problem for Steven Gerrard and his team this season, with the exemption of European football and the lack of cup games due to early round exits, the game at Elland Road on Thursday gives the Head Coach the perfect chance to rest certain individuals and give some valuable game time to players such as Emi Buendía, Morgan Sanson and Leon Bailey.
Regardless of who is picked for Thursday’s fixture, I expect to see a continuation of the last two triumphs, and for the side to return back to Villa Park with all three points. I will be predicting a 2-0 victory for Aston Villa, with Danny Ings to grab the game’s first and his second in the space of six days, and Emi Buendía to grab his team’s second on his return to the side. Up the Villa!
Liam
LIAM DAVIES | UTV PODCAST
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