Overview
Returning to home is a necessity for Leeds United after 2 disappointing matches right before the international break. In 2 consecutive losses to Brighton and Nottingham Forest, the white team conceded 6 goals while scoring only one goal.
That goal was scored at Nottingham's City Ground on 9 November, when Lukas Nmecha temporarily helped Leeds take the lead. However, the home team quickly responded thanks to goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan personalk-White and Elliot Anderson, thereby winning the final victory.
This defeat marked Leeds' fourth defeat in the last 5 Premier League matches, pushing them down to 16th place in the rankings, just one point above West Ham United in the danger zone.
Weak defense continues to be a big problem for Leeds, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 matches since the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in August. At the same time, the performance against the teams in the top half of the rankings is also very gloomy.
In fact, since October 2022, when Leeds surprisingly beat Liverpool 2-1, they have won a Premier League match against a team in the top 10. Leeds' last 7 victories have come against clubs ranked 13th and lower, showing that the team still has many difficulties against strong opponents.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's form at the start of the season was only equivalent to a team in the bottom half of the rankings. However, coach Unai Emery has helped the Midlands team revive strongly since a bad start.
After going winless in their first five games of the season, with just one goal scored, Aston Villa have won five of their last six Premier League games. This change began with an impressive away trip to defending champions Liverpool earlier this month.
Emery's team further affirmed their form when defeating Bournemouth 4-0 in round 11, thereby rising to 6th place in the rankings.
In the next round, Aston Villa will face a team they have not lost to in the Premier League since October 2020, unbeaten in 5 consecutive matches since then. In fact, the last time Leeds United beat their Midlands rivals at Elland Road in the top flight was in May 2003.
Personnel situation
No international player from Leeds has been injured in the team's matches. Their only physical problems ahead of the trip to Villa are Sebastiaan Bornauw (knee) and Wilfried Gnonto (ham).
However, Daniel Farke affirmed at the pre-match press conference that there are currently no major injuries in his squad. Therefore, both players are likely to play.
Farke also does not need to make any major changes after 2 consecutive losses, but Pascal Struijk is likely to regain his position from Jaka Bijol in the defense.
On the Aston Villa side, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Lamare Bogarde and Amadou Onana all have problems with the national team jersey.
However, all four players have returned to training, and Unai Emery confirmed that the only person chac chan to be absent is Tyrone Mings, who is expected to be out until 2026 due to a hamstring injury.
Emery's comments also suggest that Andres Garcia could return to the squad, while Victor Lindelof will be used as a back-up option at right-back if necessary.
Expected lineup:
Leeds United: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Stach, Ampadu, Longstaff, Aaronson, Nmecha, Okafor.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.
The match between Leeds United and Aston Villa takes place at 9:00 p.m. on November 23 (Vietnam time).
