A look at the latest Leeds United headlines on Monday, April 17.
Aston Villa 'hijack' Whites bid for young Hearts striker
Football Insider claims Aston Villa are planning on hijacking Leeds United's move for young Hearts striker James Wilson. The Whites have reportedly been keeping a close eye on the Scotland U16 captain with a view to sign him at the end of the current campaign.
Wilson is regarded as one of the best young prospects to come through the academy at Tynecastle and Hearts have reportedly offered him a three-year deal to stay with the club. However, Villa reportedly held talks with Wilson over the weekend, who visited Villa Park.
The striker is said to have viewed the club’s facilities and their Bodymoor Heath training headquarters.
READ MORE: Javi Gracia opens up on his Leeds United selection process for Liverpool clash
Javi Gracia facing complex Leeds United call that could make the difference against Liverpool
Javi Gracia has selection calls to make all over the park this evening as his Leeds United side host Liverpool at Elland Road. The manner of last weekend’s Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace has opened the door for changes to be made to the Whites’ starting XI and the head coach will have spent the last week mulling them over.
The Spaniard has decisions to make across the backline, with Rasmus Kristensen and Liam Cooper amongst those pushing for a starting spot. Leeds’ midfield did itself no favours in the second half of the clash with the Eagles and Gracia may be tempted to mix things up there, too.
Adam Forshaw is fit again and he could be seen as an option to provide experience and control in the middle of the park for the Whites. Of course, the head coach may see a change of formation as appropriate, too.
Javi Gracia may find it too hard to resist Leeds United recall in formation twist vs Liverpool
Does Elland Road get a response?
Leeds United’s players have not gotten to where they are in football without being highly competitive, proud individuals who hate to lose. That Crystal Palace collapse will have smarted all week.
The embarrassment the squad must have felt, given the way the footballing world has spoken about them across the past week, is hard to comprehend. They have to be ready to provide a reaction of some kind, en masse, for themselves and the home support.
It may be Liverpool, but if there is anything resembling the manner of the last match, serious worry about where this run-in is going will set in.
Leeds United squad revealed for Liverpool as Whites sweat on Max Wober's fitness
Leeds United play host to Liverpool at Elland Road under the lights tonight. The Whites will be aiming to respond to their humiliating 5-1 defeat against Crystal Palace, and will also been keen to do the double over the Reds for the first time in 22 years.
Javi Gracia remains without Tyler Adams after the American underwent surgery on a hamstring injury last month, but Leeds have been assessing Max Wober over the past couple of days since Friday's pre-match press conference.
Wober's absence has hit Leeds hard in recent games. Without the Austrian, the Whites have conceded a dismal 10 goals in three games in the Premier League.
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