Premier League: Villa Host Leeds Side Bidding for Upward Trajectory

Aston Villa vs Leeds United

To me this is a Premier League meeting between two clubs who can’t quite get where they want – at least not yet.

Aston Villa made genuine progress under boss Dean Smith – harshly sacked in early November – and have continued to fare well with his replacement at the helm, Steven Gerrard, making some smart signings during the January transfer window (though they will be hard pushed to seal a European berth).

Likewise, Leeds United dazzled for many under Marcelo Bielsa last term with a ninth-place finish.

Since then, they have failed to reproduce the goods constantly, not helped by a bad run of injuries, yet their recent victory at West Ham – inspired by a Jack Harrison hat-trick – suggests they will still preserve their top-flight status with something to spare.

So, what Premier League 2022 highlights can we expect when they meet at Villa Park?

Talking Points

Both had contrasting fortunes last time out.

Villa won 1-0 at Everton, a victory based more on sweat than quality, but a victory nevertheless as Emiliano Buendia’s angled header from a corner earned them the points.

Later that afternoon, Leeds went down by the same scoreline at home to fellow strugglers Newcastle.

A 75^th-minute free-kick from Jonjo Shelvey took the points back to Tyneside in a nightmare moment for Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, who failed to make a regulation stop.

With so many sides below them struggling, Leeds still have a healthy cushion and, presumably, the likes of top scorer Patrick Bamford to return from injury after a campaign ravaged by an ankle problem.

He, along with Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo, will be unavailable for Bielsa at Villa Park though.

The club reportedly turned down offers for Harrison and their player of the season so far, Raphinha, in the transfer window.

For the hosts, they have put their brief winter break to good use by arranging two friendlies.

They continued their preparations for the return to league action with a convincing 3-1 win over Norwegian club Molde, following another behind-closed-doors friendly at Villa Park in which they defeated Brentford 2-1 in midweek.

In the Molde contest, starts were handed to January additions Robin Olsen and Calum Chambers – who started at centre-back alongside Tyrone Mings – while Philippe Coutinho was named on the bench after returning from international duty with Brazil.

A squad with some depth is now being built and that is what makes me think Villa could well have too much for threadbare Leeds.

History

What a history these two have.

A total of 102 meetings with 40 Villa successes, 32 Leeds victories and 30 draws.

This match last season was one of Leeds’ triumphs of the campaign as Bamford netted a second-half hat-trick in an emphatic 3-0 win.

An Anwar El Ghazi goal earned Villa revenge with a 1-0 success in the return fixture at Elland Road last February.

Until last season, Leeds had not won at Villa in the top flight since 2002 when Mark Viduka scored the only goal of the contest.

Yet that El Ghazi goal earned Villa only their third win over Leeds in their last 15 meetings.

Their most prestigious match of the last quarter of a century or so was the 1996 League Cup Final at Wembley when Brian Little’s Midlanders saw off Howard Wilkinson’s Leeds 3-0, courtesy of goals from Savo Milosevic, Ian Taylor and Dwight Yorke.

The very first meeting came back in 1924 in the third round of the FA Cup when Len Capewell (two) and Billy Walker were the marksmen in a 3-0 Villa win.

Betting Tip

	Aston Villa vs Leeds United	Total Goals 4-6 @ 3.10
	February 10, 4:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Premier League 2022 betting odds back Villa.

They are available 1X2 @ 1.85 with Leeds out @ 3.80.

The draw is on offer @ 3.75.

Asian Handicap odds are similar with Villa priced -0.75 @ 2.06 and -1.00 @ 2.40 with options on Leeds including +0.75 @ 1.87 and +0.50 @ 2.08.

If Leeds were able to pull off another 3-0 success at Villa Park, then the Correct Score pay day awaits you @ 85.00.

Another 1-0 Villa win, like in their last meeting almost 12 months ago, is up for grabs @ 13.00.

Double Chance Leeds or Draw @ 1.88 may appeal to optimistic fans of the Yorkshire club, but I am going to plump for an encounter with plenty of goals.

Having studied and strongly considered over 3.00 goals @ 2.25, I have instead to decided to make a three-star prediction of 4-6 total goals @ 3.10.

 

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