Double shot: Aston Villa v Leeds United match preview and team news
Villa beat Leeds in the Premier League in November and need another win to bolster their Champions League hopes
Winning at Elland Road was a big moment for Aston Villa in the 2025/26 season. Leeds United hadn’t yet revolutionised their tactical approach but going behind there and leaving with all three points was a milestone.
Villa, we learned, have a bit about them after all. They have a goal in them. They can overturn a deficit in the most hostile of away grounds and give their quality a chance to shine through.
It was also the day that the season really began for Morgan Rogers and he’s barely looked back since. The post-January chatter about Rogers’ future is already well underway – that’s not a criticism of the media because I intend to add to it soon – and Villa badly need him to lead by example when Leeds visit Villa Park on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s team are in the midst of a wobble and there’s no point in pretending that they aren’t. Incisive attacking play is at a premium and it’s vital that Rogers makes it count.
That’s what a £100 million player would do. Rogers is one of the most in-demand players in the Premier League and Emery needs him to demonstrate why as the battle for a Champions League place intensifies.
