Premier League: Leeds Need Victory over Visiting Aston Villa

Leeds United vs Aston Villa

Leeds United have not had a very merry festive season as they have suffered a hat-trick of heavy Premier League defeats which have kept them hanging around the relegation zone.

Leeds were spared another likely Boxing Day beating against Liverpool, which was postponed due to a Covid outbreak, but they desperately need a positive result when they return to action against Aston Villa.

The Villans have been in fine form since Steven Gerrard took over, but they will have the disadvantages of being in action on Boxing Day and being without the isolating Gerrard, which should help improve the Whites’ Premier League 2021 odds of victory.

Talking Points

Banged up Leeds suffer Covid outbreak

Leeds United have already had a long list of trials and tribulations this season, and the Covid outbreak that postponed their Boxing Day bout with Liverpool is just the latest problem Marcelo Bielsa has to overcome.

It remains to be seen whether Leeds can recover in time for their match against Aston Villa to push through.

The postponement of the Liverpool match has at least given Leeds some much-needed time to regroup both physically and mentally from what is perhaps their most difficult spell since returning to the Premier League.

The Whites suffered an absolutely abysmal stretch of Premier League 2021 results where they lost three times in the space of eight days to Chelsea (3-2), Manchester City (7-0), and Arsenal (1-4).

Granted, those are the three of the top four teams in the Premier League at the moment. But still, the Whites looked completely outclassed in their one-sided defeats to City and Arsenal as they continue to sit just two places above the relegation zone.

Aside from possible Covid absentees, Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa also has an absurdly long injury list to deal with, which will severely limit his options yet again. He was without several of his top stars – Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, Daniel James – against Arsenal, while a host of defenders – Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Jamie Shackleton – were also missing.

There seemed to be a chance that Patrick Bamford and Daniel James could have been available to play in the Liverpool match had it pushed through, so the two could be fit to play against Villa should they test negative for Covid.

Aston Villa missing manager Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard’s stint as Aston Villa boss has been a rousing success thus far. The Villans have won four of their first six matches with Gerrard in charge, with their two losses coming against the Premier League’s top two sides, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Villa bounced back from their Liverpool loss to beat old boss Dean Smith’s Norwich 2-0. Their subsequent match against Burnley was postponed.

Villa will be in action against Chelsea on Boxing Day before facing Leeds. Unfortunately, they will be without Gerrard for both of those matches after he tested positive for Covid.

The Villans will also be without forwards Bertrand Traore and Leon Baily, as well as Marvelous Nakamba against Chelsea, so their squad is currently being pushed to its limit.

Hopefully, Ollie Watkins will be fit to play in both matches. The 25-year-old striker had his best game of the season with a goal and an assist against Norwich and is rediscovering his top form under Gerrard. He has scored three of his five league goals in the six games where Gerrard has been in charge.

History

Leeds and Aston Villa have played against one another 26 times in the Premier League era, and it has been remarkably competitive. Villa hold a slight 9-8 edge in terms of wins, while there have been nine draws.

After meeting several times in the Championship from 2016-2019, the two finally faced off in the Premier League last season for the first time since 2004.

Leeds thumped Aston Villa 3-0 at Villa Park thanks to a second-half Bamford hat-trick. However, Villa got their revenge by getting a 1-0 win at Elland Road thanks to an early Anwar El Ghazi goal.

Betting Tip

	Aston Villa vs Leeds United	1X2 Leeds United @ 2.80
	December 29, 01:30 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Aston Villa as very slight 2.51 favourites to win at Elland Road over Leeds, who are priced at 2.80 to pick up a much-needed win. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.15.

It goes without saying that this is a huge game for Leeds and Bielsa. Even though the team has endured a rash of injuries, their performances and results still need to improve to relieve the growing pressure around him.

With Villa likely fatigued due to playing just a few days earlier and without their manager Steven Gerrard, this home game at Elland Road is the perfect opportunity for Bielsa’s men to grab the win they desperately need.

 

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