Leeds United vs Aston Villa Preview, Prediction & Lineups Premier League 2025/26
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Match Preview
Elland Road prepares for a fiery atmosphere this Saturday as a struggling Leeds United welcome Unai Emery’s high-flying Aston Villa. The mood in Yorkshire is tense; Leeds have lost 4 of their last 5 matches, slipping dangerously close to the relegation conversation. Manager Daniel Farke is under immense pressure to stop the rot after a demoralizing 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.1
In stark contrast, Aston Villa arrives in confident spirits. Fresh off a 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth and a tactical masterclass to beat Manchester City last month, the Villans are firmly in the hunt for Champions League football.2 However, an injury crisis in defense threatens to derail their momentum. Can Leeds’ high-energy press exploit Villa’s makeshift backline, or will Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers tear through the Whites’ fragile defense?
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Leeds United vs Aston Villa
- Competition: Premier League (Matchweek 12)
- Venue: Elland Road, Leeds (Capacity: 37,792)
- Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 15:00 GMT / 16:00 CET / 20:30 IST
- Referee: Rob Jones3
- VAR: Jarred Gillett (Expected)
- TV Channel (UK): Not televised (3pm Blackout)
- TV Channel (USA): Peacock Premium
- TV Channel (India): Star Sports Select 2, Disney+ Hotstar
- Live Stream: Peacock (USA), JioStar (India)4
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Leeds United:
- Position: Lower Table (fighting to stay clear of the drop zone).
- Form: Worrying. Aside from a gritty 2-1 win over West Ham, they have been comprehensively beaten by Brighton (0-3) and Forest (1-3).
- Current Challenge: Defensive fragility. They are conceding too many goals in transition and struggling to create clear chances without a fully fit Gnonto.
Aston Villa:
- Position: Top 6 Contender.
- Form: Strong. Wins against Man City (1-0) and Bournemouth (4-0) show their ceiling, though a slip-up against Liverpool (0-2) keeps them grounded.
- Current Challenge: Navigating an injury crisis at the back. With Mings out and Konsa/Cash questionable, the defense is stretched thin.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — What’s at Stake
For Leeds United:
- Survival & Jobs: A home loss here would turn the Elland Road crowd toxic. Farke needs a result to prove he can keep Leeds in the division.
For Aston Villa:
- Top 4 Ambitions: To qualify for the Champions League, you must beat bottom-half teams away from home. Dropping points here would undo the hard work of beating Man City.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Team Form
Leeds United (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Nottingham Forest (1-3)
- L vs Brighton (0-3)5
- W vs West Ham (2-1)
- L vs Burnley (0-2)
- L vs Tottenham (1-2)
Aston Villa (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Bournemouth (4-0)
- W vs Maccabi Tel Aviv (2-0)
- L vs Liverpool (0-2)
- W vs Man City (1-0)
- L vs G.A. Eagles (1-2)
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Team News
Leeds United:
- Aleix Garcia: Out (Injury – Major loss in midfield control).
- Sebastiaan Bornauw: Questionable (Knee Injury – Late fitness test).6
- Wilfried Gnonto: Questionable (Groin Injury – If he misses out, Leeds lose their main spark).
- Ethan Ampadu: Available (Key anchor in midfield).
Aston Villa:
- Tyrone Mings: Out (Hamstring Injury).7
- Lamare Bogarde: Questionable (Knock).
- Matty Cash: Questionable (Injury – Unlikely to risk him).
- Ezri Konsa: Questionable (Calf Injury – Huge doubt).8
- Amadou Onana: Questionable (Injury – Tielemans likely to pivot alone or with McGinn).
- Ollie Watkins: Available (Fully fit and scoring).
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Head to Head
- 14 Jan 2023: Aston Villa 2–1 Leeds
- 02 Oct 2022: Leeds 0–0 Aston Villa
- 17 Jul 2022: Aston Villa 1–0 Leeds (Friendly)
- 11 Mar 2022: Leeds 0–3 Aston Villa
- 10 Feb 2022: Aston Villa 3–3 Leeds
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Predicted Lineups
Leeds United (4-2-3-1):
With Garcia out, Rothwell or Tanaka steps in. If Gnonto can’t play, Manor Solomon or Largie Ramazani starts on the wing.
- GK: Illan Meslier9
- RB: Jayden Bogle
- CB: Joe Rodon
- CB: Pascal Struijk
- LB: Junior Firpo
- CDM: Ethan Ampadu (C)
- CDM: Ao Tanaka
- RW: Daniel James10
- CAM: Brenden Aaronson
- LW: Manor Solomon (Replacing the doubtful Gnonto)
- ST: Joël Piroe
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1):
Emery is forced to reshuffle the defense. Diego Carlos and Pau Torres must partner up. Kosta Nedeljkovic likely fills in at Right Back.
- GK: Emi Martínez
- RB: Kosta Nedeljkovic
- CB: Diego Carlos
- CB: Pau Torres
- LB: Ian Maatsen
- CM: Youri Tielemans
- CM: John McGinn (C)
- RM: Leon Bailey
- LM: Jacob Ramsey
- CAM: Morgan Rogers
- ST: Ollie Watkins
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Impact Bench Options
Leeds United:
- Mateo Joseph: The young striker brings chaos and energy off the bench. If Leeds are trailing, fans will scream for his introduction.
- Largie Ramazani: Explosive pace to stretch Villa’s tired legs in the final 20 minutes.
Aston Villa:
- Jhon Durán: The ultimate super-sub. He has a habit of scoring thunderbolts late in games when Watkins is rested.
- Jaden Philogene: Tricky and direct, he can exploit Junior Firpo’s tendency to push too high.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Tactical Outlook
Leeds United:
- Playing Style: Chaos Pressing. At Elland Road, Farke wants high intensity. They will try to swarm Villa’s midfielders (Tielemans/McGinn) to force turnovers. They rely heavily on Dan James’ speed on the counter.11
- Weakness: Defensive Organization. They leave massive gaps when possession is lost. Against Villa’s precision passers, this is suicide.
Aston Villa:
- Playing Style: Bait and Switch. Emery’s Villa will invite Leeds to press them deep, using Emi Martínez as a third center-back. Once Leeds commit, Villa will bypass the press with one vertical pass to Rogers or Watkins into open space.
- Strength: Transition Speed. With Rogers driving through the middle and Watkins running the channels, they are arguably the best transition team in the league.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Junior Firpo vs. Leon Bailey | Recovery Run Nightmare: Firpo loves to attack but hates defending pace. Bailey will look to roast him on the counter. | Aston Villa |
| Ethan Ampadu vs. Morgan Rogers | The Physical Duel: Rogers is a powerhouse at #10. Ampadu has to stick to him like glue, or Rogers will drive straight at the defense. | Aston Villa |
| Joe Rodon vs. Ollie Watkins | Movement Masterclass: Watkins rarely stays still. Rodon needs to be disciplined and not get dragged out of position. | Even |
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Spotlight Players
Illan Meslier (Leeds United):
The Leeds goalkeeper can be brilliant or calamitous. Against a Villa side that shoots on sight, he needs to have a “world-class” day for Leeds to get anything.
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa):
He has been a revelation this season. His ability to receive the ball on the half-turn and drive 30 yards creates panic in defenses. With Leeds’ midfield missing Aleix Garcia, Rogers could run the show.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Fan Reactions
Leeds Fans:
“No Gnonto creates a massive creative void. Hopefully, Solomon remembers how to dribble.”
“If we play a high line against Watkins, we are losing 4-0. Farke needs to be pragmatic.”
Aston Villa Fans:
“Our defense is held together by tape, but our attack is Champions League level. We should outscore them.”
“Elland Road is a tough place, but we beat Man City. We can beat Leeds.”
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Where to Watch
- UK: Not Televised
- USA: Peacock Premium
- India: Star Sports Select 2, JioStar
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Match-Defining Factors
- The First 20 Minutes: Leeds will come out flying, fed by the home crowd. If Villa survive the initial onslaught and score first, the atmosphere will turn toxic very quickly.
- Villa’s Makeshift Right Side: With Cash likely out, young Nedeljkovic will be targeted by Leeds. If Leeds overload that side, they can find joy.
- Set Pieces: Leeds are vulnerable aerially (conceded 3 vs Forest). Villa’s Pau Torres and Diego Carlos are threats from corners.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Prediction
Score Prediction: Leeds United 1–3 Aston Villa
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Aston Villa to Win.
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Villa’s injury-hit defense will concede, but they will outscore Leeds).
- Anytime Goalscorer: Ollie Watkins (Loves playing against high lines).
Analysis: Leeds are in a downward spiral, and their playing style plays right into Unai Emery’s hands. Villa will happily let Leeds press, then tear them apart on the break. Expect a spirited effort from Leeds, but the gulf in quality in the final third is too wide.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — Final Word
It feels like two clubs moving in opposite directions. Aston Villa operate like a well-oiled machine, even with injuries. Leeds United look fragile and devoid of confidence. Unless Elland Road can suck the ball into the net, Villa’s attacking quartet of Watkins, Rogers, Bailey, and Ramsey should have too much firepower for the struggling hosts.
Leeds United vs Aston Villa — FAQs
When is the Leeds vs Aston Villa match?
The match is on Saturday, 22 November 2025, at 15:00 GMT (20:30 IST).
Is Wilfried Gnonto playing?
He is listed as Questionable with a groin injury. It will be a game-time decision.
Who is replacing Matty Cash for Villa?
Youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic is the most likely replacement at Right Back.
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can stream the match live on JioStar and Disney+ Hotstar.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Will Villa’s top-4 charge continue, or can Leeds spring a surprise? Drop your score predictions below!
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