Premier League: Whites can take something from Villa Park

Leeds United may continue to have their injury problems but Marcelo Bielsa’s side look capable of getting something to show for their efforts when they travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard’s honeymoon period since his arrival at Villa Park seems to have already come to an end, and next his side face an unpredictable outfit in the form of the Whites.

New arrivals need time to settle

It certainly was a busy January transfer window for the West Midlands outfit, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Robin Olsen, Kerr Smith and Calum Chambers all arriving.

Coutinho and Digne have already had impacts since signing, with Coutinho scoring in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United and Digne providing an assist in a 1-0 win at Everton.

Expectations on new players will be high but other established Villa stars will have to carry some of the responsibility as the club look to rediscover some form.

One win in their last five games in all competitions has seen the campaign stutter somewhat, and Leeds will be looking to target some of the weaknesses in this Villa side.

The Whites look a good price at 2.08 as a double chance to win or draw at Villa Park, at a venue that has been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years.

Leeds have won on their last two visits to the home of the Villans and many of the players who featured in those games will run out for the Whites on Wednesday.

Leeds seeking consistency

A thrilling 3-2 away victory away at top-four contenders West Ham last month shows what Leeds are capable of, even without the likes of skipper Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford in their ranks.

However, a 1-0 defeat to struggling Newcastle in their following game at Elland Road highlights the inconsistencies that have plagued Bielsa’s side this season.

Leeds will again have to do without England striker Bamford after Bielsa confirmed in Monday’s press conference that the forward has not even returned to running after picking up a foot injury.

Phillips and Cooper are in the “final stages” of their recovery but the trip to Villa Park will come too soon for the pair.

With Bamford absent, there are calls for Joe Gelhardt to start up front for the Whites.

The former Wigan starlet was used as a substitute against the Magpies last time out, with Bielsa admitting he was reluctant to start the forward after only recently returning from injury.

A start for Gelhardt would give Leeds much more of a cutting edge in attack and it would not be a surprise to see them get on the scoresheet.

However, they do still have their frailties at the back, meaning the both teams to score market at 1.71 could be the way to go in what should be an end-to-end contest.

Recommended Bet

Leeds double chance @ 2.08

Both teams to score @ 1.71