Aston Villa vs Leeds United – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | EPL 2021-22

Steven Gerrard of Rangers
Steven Gerrard of Rangers

Aston Villa will welcome Leeds United to Villa Park this Wednesday in the 24th round of the 22021/22 Premier League season.

Venue: Villa Park (Birmingham)

Key Statistics

Aston Villa have kept just one clean sheet at home in their last five games.

The hosts have scored 28 goals this season. 17 of those goals have come at home.

50% of their goals conceded in the PL have come at home (16 goals).

Leeds United have lost three of their last five PL games. 

The visitors have conceded 40 league goals this season. Only three sides have conceded more goals at this stage of the season.

Head to head

In the Premier League, Aston Villa and Leeds United have faced off 26 times. Aston Villa have a slightly better win ratio of nine wins while Leeds United have eight wins. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Aston Villa: W-D-L-L-L

Leeds United: L-W-L-W-L

Aston Villa 

Aston Villa will look to continue their decent form under Steven Gerrard when they welcome Leeds United to Villa Park on Wednesday.

The hosts were not in action last weekend as they had crashed out of the third round of the FA Cup after losing 1-0 to Manchester United.

Their last outing was a 1-0 win over Everton just before the winter break. The win means that they come into this tie sitting in 11th place with 26 points.

After having a brush with relegation under former manager Dean Smith, their aim for this season is now to finish as high as possible. Given that they are ten points behind Arsenal in 6th, they will consider a top-six finish still possible.

After a positive January transfer window which saw the acquisitions of Lucas Digne and Phillipe Coutinho- both of which have already contributed to PL goals (G1, A1)- Steven Gerrard will fancy his side’s chances of going on a decent run, beginning with a win against the ‘Lilly Whites’.

However, a lack of consistency has plagued Villa’s home league form this season, with each of their last six outings here producing different results (W2, D1, L3). 

Possible Aston Villa starting line-up

Emi Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, David Luiz, Jacob Ramsey; Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Philippe Coutinho.

Injured: Marvelous Nakamba

Doubtful: Bertrand Traore

Suspended: None 

Leeds United

Leeds United will play their 4000th league game since joining the Football League 122 years ago when they travel to Birmingham on Wednesday. 

The Yorkshire side, like their hosts, were not in action over the weekend as their FA Cup participation had ended by West Ham United in the previous round.

But their last PL game before the winter break was a 1-0 loss to struggling Newcastle United. The result and performance was a stark contrast to their PL performance before the international break, which saw them beat Champions League-chasing West Ham by 3-2.

That win ended a five-game winless run away from home (D1, L4). However, the Lilly Whites have not registered back-to-back away league wins since May 2021.

They also have not won their opening two away league games of a calendar year since 2005, but they can achieve that feat here if they win.

They are currently sitting in 15th place with 22 points, seven points ahead of the relegation teams. A win in this game will boost their chances of survival, while a loss could see them get fully embroiled in a relegation fight in the coming weeks. 

Possible Leeds United starting line-up

Illan Meslier; Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Stuart Dallas; Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw; Raphinha, Rodrigo, jack Harrison; Daniel James.

Injured: Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United