Aston Villa is set to host Leeds United at Villa Park this afternoon, as they aim to strengthen their bid for a Champions League spot and close in on the Premier League leaders. Currently positioned third in the standings with 50 points from 26 matches, Unai Emery’s squad is enjoying one of their best starts to a Premier League season. Despite a setback with a 1-3 defeat to Newcastle United in the FA Cup, the team is focused on maintaining their league momentum.
Leeds United, on the other hand, arrives in Birmingham feeling upbeat after their recent success, which includes a penalty shootout victory against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Chelsea in their last league match. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, Leeds is currently in 15th place, creating a six-point buffer above the relegation zone with only two losses since December.
Match details include a kickoff at 15:00 GMT, officiated by referee Michael Oliver. The last encounter between these teams saw Aston Villa defeating Leeds 2-1 on November 23, 2025.
In terms of team news, Aston Villa may see the return of Matty Cash, who has been sidelined due to a minor knee injury. However, key players like John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans will miss out due to injuries. Marco Bizot’s suspension following a red card means Emiliano Martínez will be featured in goal, with Morgan Rogers leading the attack, boasting an impressive tally of chances created and goals.
For Leeds, they will be without Noah Okafor due to a hamstring strain suffered in the previous cup game, but they welcome back fit players including Pascal Struijk, Anton Stach, and Daniel James. Lukas Nmecha, boasting an impressive scoring rate this season, is expected to make an impact, alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is likely to lead the forward line.
Aston Villa has proven to be dominant at home, winning eight of their last ten outings at Villa Park and remaining unbeaten in their last six league matches against Leeds. Meanwhile, Leeds has shown resilience despite difficulties away from home, with their recent set-piece strategy proving effective in accumulating expected goals.
Fans looking to catch the action live will note that the match will not be broadcast in the UK due to the traditional 3 p.m. blackout.
This encounter promises to be a significant test for both teams as they navigate the second half of the season, with both clubs keen to secure favorable outcomes that align them with their season ambitions.