Leeds United arrived at Villa Park this evening without key names Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo.
However, the absentees list having shrunk to four represents progress for the Whites who have routinely been without upwards of five first-team players for the majority of the season.
Patrick Bamford is ruled out with a foot injury this evening, and is yet to begin jogging on his return to full fitness, said Marcelo Bielsa earlier this week.
Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are both absent until March, according to the Argentine coach, whilst they recover from separate hamstring injuries.
Junior Firpo appears closest to a return but is left out this evening. He sustained a similar muscular injury in the win over West Ham United last month.
In the line-up this evening, Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has named Illan Meslier, Diego Llorente, Stuart Dallas and Daniel James.
The latter starts up front in Bamford's absence, while popular choice Joe Gelhardt takes his place on the substitutes' bench.
Stuart Dallas is expected at left-back, deputising for Firpo, while Diego Llorente continues at the heart of defence alongside Pascal Struijk.
Raphinha and Jack Harrison continue on the wings, as expected. The wide-man pairing had varying international breaks, with Harrison spending some time off before getting back into training over the past two weeks.
Adam Forshaw starts on the bench.
The Brazilian on the other hand was away with his country, starting twice in games versus Ecuador and Paraguay.
Here is the Leeds United starting XI at Villa Park this evening.
Leeds XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Koch, Klich, Rodrigo; Harrison, Raphinha, James
Subs: Klaesson, Hjelde, Roberts, Gelhardt, McKinstry, Bate, Forshaw, Kenneh, Shackleton
