Aston Villa v Leeds United: FPL tips, predicted line-up, team news and match preview

Aston Villa must put an unsatisfactory FA Cup exit behind them when they return to Premier League action against Leeds United on Saturday.

Villa take on Leeds at Villa Park knowing that a win would take them level on points with second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table and eight points clear of Manchester United, currently in fourth.

Manager Unai Emery has spoken again of Villa’s need to dream. It’s the right level of ambition and an admirable outlook, but the fact of the matter is Villa need to get back into the more tangible and earthly habit of winning football matches on the regular.

Leeds United 2025/26 v2.0

You could make an argument that the most impressive achievement of the Premier League season so far is Villa’s winning run at the end of the last calendar year. You can bet not many neutrals would nominate Emery’s team in that category but facts are facts.

Leeds are right up there too.

Promotion has been the best way to guarantee relegation for the last couple of seasons. Sunderland, another contender for best achievement, made short work of proving that 2025/26 would play out quite differently.

Leeds looked like they might join Burnley in the drop zone. Their last match of November was a 3-2 loss against Manchester City, Leeds’ fourth league loss in a row. They were unbeaten in the next seven and have lost only twice since.

It’s no accident. Manager Daniel Farke has demonstrated a degree of pragmatism uncommon among promoted managers and is reaping the rewards of a smart tactical refresh at the beginning of a crucial winter.

Getting players closer to Dominic Calvert-Lewin – notably Noah Okafor, who misses this game with injury – and ensuring Calvert-Lewin is closer to goal more often has been a masterstroke, turning Leeds into an attacking threat and a formidable physical foe.

That’s how you stay up after appearing to be in genuine trouble. Bravo.

Villa team news

Emery will bring goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez back into the side after he was rested for the FA Cup loss against Newcastle United, or for the first half of it, at least. Marco Bizot is suspended because of his red card in that game.

There’s positive news at right-back where Andrés García returned to the bench against the Magpies and first choice Matty Cash is now available for selection after recovering from his injury.

Midfielders Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are still out for some weeks to come, while Boubacar Kamara is done for the season.

Winger Alysson is a short-term absentee along with Harvey Elliott, who has been ruled out of the Leeds game but whose Europa League prospects have been thrust into a new light with the news that it doesn’t count towards the appearances total that would trigger a permanent transfer that won’t be happening.

Villa predicted line-up and FPL tips v Leeds

The first thing to note for FPL managers looking for a boost is that Cash will come straight back into the starting eleven and will immediately blow past the 100 points barrier for the season.

I think he’ll play on the outside of Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres as Villa’s centre-backs, with an increasingly easy choice to start Ian Maatsen on the left.

The rest of the team will be very familiar to regular Villa watchers but there’s a big question mark over which of Emery’s two options will get the start up front.

Tammy Abraham could eventually unseat Ollie Watkins. Many Villa supporters would make that decision for this game and I think it’s all but inevitable in the coming weeks, but I don’t see it happening just yet.

Where to watch Villa v Leeds

Villa’s home game against Leeds is not available for broadcast in the UK.

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➡️ How to watch Aston Villa v Leeds United: kick-off time, TV channels and streams

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