Aston Villa FC vs Leeds United, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Aston Villa FC vs Leeds United Match Prediction & Analysis

Aston Villa were the unfortunate Premier League team dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend, going down to a shock 2-1 defeat to League Two side Stevenage. 

There’s usually a surprise result each year in the cup and Unai Emery will be disappointed to pick up a defeat when Villa were in the middle of a strong patch of form.

Now, they face Leeds, Southampton and Leicester, three teams that Emery will expect his side to pick up points against. The top half is within touching distance if they can achieve a good run of form.

Leeds, on the other hand, are closer to the bottom of the league than they are to breaking into the top 10. Consistency has always been Leeds’ problem since returning to the Premier League, no more so than now.

The Yorkshire club haven’t won a game since football returning after the World Cup, and with only one victory coming since the start of November, they are being dragged into an unwanted relegation battle.

Much is at stake for these two sides.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Aston Villa FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Unbeaten in their last four against Leeds

     13 goals scored in the seven games since Gerrard’s departure

Reasons to be fearful:

     Poor defeat to Stevenage may knock confidence

     Team has a soft centre despite recent improvement

The road to where Aston Villa want to be as a football club is likely to be a long one. 

They have seen the money roll into Newcastle, a club beneath them in the table 12 months ago, and the Magpies have soared into the top four.

While Aston Villa’s owners have plenty of money, they will be a lot more measured in their approach. Appointing Unai Emery appears to have been a wise choice, given his start at the club.

Their last two results have not been ideal. A 1-1 home draw to Wolves is not the end of the world, although their performance levels dropped off from their 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Then, Emery will not have enjoyed watching his team lose to Stevenage in the FA Cup a few days later. It shows that Villa still have a soft centre to their team, one that will take several transfer windows to fix.

Here, they will hope to benefit from a good recent record against Leeds, although will need to be wary of the Yorkshire club springing a surprise of their own.

Star Man – Emi Buendia

Appears to have been reborn under Unai Emery and is being rewarded with regular gametime. Has serious ability must improve on his record of two goals from 21 appearances this season.

Leeds United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Lost just one of their last six away games against Villa 

     New signing upfront could motivate current players

Reasons to be fearful

     Short of quality in key areas

     Defeat could pull them into the bottom three

Leeds have skirted around the relegation zone for the past season or so, and Jesse Marsch has found it difficult to find the consistency that his predecessor, Marcelo Bielsa, also lacked as manager.

They have made one positive signing already this month, with Max Wober coming into midfield and helping his side earn an FA Cup replay against Cardiff City. He can also fill in in defence if needed.

The club is also on the verge of breaking its transfer record for a new striker Georginio Rutter, who is estimated to cost in the region of £30m. If he is incoming, he could make others in that position work harder.

While Leeds haven’t beaten Villa in recent times, they’ve only lost one of their last six against them too. Defeat here would leave them dangerously close to the bottom three.

Star Man – Rodrigo

Leeds have been too reliant on Rodrigo this season, who has scored 40% of their goals this campaign. It’s no wonder the club is trying to sign a new striker, which may improve Rodrigo’s form here.