Leeds United line-ups vs Aston Villa as Drameh,…

Leeds United line-ups vs Aston Villa as Drameh, Llorente and Gelhardt are axed

Beren Cross

A four-week pause has allowed Leeds United to post the cleanest bill of health we have seen at Thorp Arch in some time. Aside from Stuart Dallas’s well-known road back to fitness, Adam Forshaw is the only other senior face unavailable this weekend.

More than just being injury-free, Jesse Marsch is pleased with the sharpness of those who have come back from problems during September. It gives him, and us, genuine selection dilemmas in the team and a bench with the ability to change matches.

Rather than poor form, an injury may have dislodged Rasmus Kristensen at Brentford, but I would not restore the Dane this weekend. Marsch was keen to stress how well Kristensen had played with Denmark last week, but I saw enough from Luke Ayling in the last game to bring him back into the starting line-up.

It may not be the best move for Kristensen’s long-term transition to this team and this division, but Ayling quickly showed what Leeds have been lacking in an attacking sense down that flank. I would also make the obvious change in central defence.

Diego Llorente needs to be taken out of the firing line and the chance to restore the club’s captain is a no-brainer in my book. Pascal Struijk does hold off the more natural option in Junior Firpo for me, however.

In the long term, Struijk is going to move into the centre, but at this point, with Firpo lacking game time and the Dutchman well settled on the left, he should stay. Memories of Firpo’s less than consistent form from last season remain fresh too.

The midfield five picks itself on current form, while Patrick Bamford, after 45 minutes at Brentford, a hat-trick with the under-21s and four weeks of uninterrupted training, has to get his season going in the frontline. This is the perfect chance, after a break, to reset and go again with the England international.

There seems little sense in rushing back Rodrigo, for me.

Beren’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford.

Will Jackson

Changes will surely come this week, it’s just a case of how many, as players return to full fitness. Personally, I would make three changes to the Leeds side for the visit of Villa with the first and perhaps the most important one coming at the heart of defence.

Liam Cooper simply must come into the side to partner the in-form Robin Koch at the back. The skipper’s leadership qualities and nous will be absolutely crucial for the Whites as they look to get back to winning ways, particularly with Jesse Marsch banned from standing on the touchline at Elland Road.

Luke Ayling’s experience could also come in handy as the head coach watches on from the gantry. Marsch will have a tough choice at right-back with Rasmus Kristensen fit again, but Ayling’s 20-minute cameo at Brentford was enough to make my mind up and I’d certainly be picking the 31-year-old to start against Villa.

I’d also be keen to reward Pascal Struijk for his efforts over the first six games of the season by keeping him in the side, despite the fitness of Junior Firpo. I believe the midfield picks itself with Tyler Adams and Marc Roca nailing down those roles, and the same can be said for the attacking line in front of them for the most part, with Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson all impressing at the start of the campaign.

The only question mark comes up front, with Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo potentially competing for the number nine role. Rodrigo started the campaign in red hot form, but it’s the perfect time to push Bamford back into the starting XI in the hope he can rediscover his goalscoring knack

Will’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Struijk; Adams, Roca; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.

Select your XI here:

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here