Can Aston Villa Beat Middle-Table Leeds United to Get Closer to the Table Leader?
Aston Villa and Leeds United both come off their FA Cup duties. In the FA Cup, Villa was reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time 45+1 and lost 1-3 to Newcastle. Meanwhile, Leeds was victorious against Birmingham. That match went to extra time after ending in a draw in regulation, and Leeds ultimately won on penalties. Leeds’ next FA Cup match has already been determined, as they will play Norwich City at home. Both teams now turn their attention to their Premier League matchup against each other on February 21 at 10:00 a.m. EST.
Aston Villa Breakdown
Ollie Watkins will be a crucial player for Aston Villa. The English striker has eight goals and one assist this season. Watkins will pose a significant challenge for Leeds’ defense. Due to his red card in the FA Cup match, Marco Bizot will not be available for the Premier League fixture, so the responsibility will return to regular starter Emiliano Martínez. Villa are currently dealing with an injury crisis, as several normal starters and key players are sidelined. Youri Tielemans is out with an ankle injury. John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, and Matty Cash are dealing with knee injuries; however, Cash’s injury is less severe and he could make the bench. Andrés García is also out with a hamstring injury.
Leeds United Breakdown
Jayden Bogle will be a key player for Leeds. The defender is capable of covering large areas of the pitch and frequently regains possession with strong, committed tackles. He will play an important role both defensively and in supporting the attack. Leeds also have several players who are not fully match fit. Daniel James is managing a hamstring issue. Anton Stach has a hip problem, Pascal Struijk is dealing with a groin injury, and Noah Okafor has a thigh concern. All four could potentially be available for the bench, as their injuries are not considered severe. The medical staff will evaluate their readiness, and even if they are unable to play the full 90 minutes, they may be used as substitutes.
What’s at Stake for Each Team
The reverse fixture saw Aston Villa defeat Leeds 2-1. Villa will have a slight advantage playing at home at Villa Park. However, Leeds will not face a long journey from Elland Road, with the drive being roughly two hours. Aston Villa will look to rebound after their frustrating FA Cup exit and close the gap between themselves and Premier League table leaders Arsenal. A victory would reduce the deficit to five points. Leeds, meanwhile, will draw confidence from their draw against Chelsea and their FA Cup progression. A win could lift them into 13th place, depending on results involving Brighton and Crystal Palace. Ultimately, Villa need three points to regain momentum and strengthen their push toward the top of the table. Leeds will be equally motivated, as they fight to avoid relegation and maintain positive morale within the squad.
