Leeds v Aston Villa Match Preview

Leeds return to Premier League action in need of a victory having fallen to 16th in the table going into the weekend.

Daniel Farke’s side have just one win in their last six games in the top flight and have not beaten Aston Villa since October 2020.

They have lost back-to-back games on the road, at Brighton and Nottingham Forest, leading to criticism of Farke and his players.

The German said: “Fair criticism that they were our worst games [of the season] but it is my job to protect my players. I work for a club where everyone cares so much and is passionate.

“I want to be a shield. We go with positivity into the next game so we can be brave, press higher and play with more courage.They have delivered so many good performances, so I am finding it hard to criticise us.

“It will always be in our DNA to be pro-active, but we are playing in the best league in the world. We always have to perform at our top level. 

“If we keep going we have a great chance of staying above the line and continuing to play in the Premier League.”

Villa have surged up the Premier League table in recent weeks after a slow start.

But boss Unai Emery is still expecting better from his players away from Villa Park.

He said: “How we are performing away is not in the balance, it is not in our balance. Of course, how we are competing and progressing has been really fantastic, but it’s not enough. And away is our challenge because in the five matches we played away we have only won against Tottenham.”