Boss Jesse Marsch made seven changes to his side for Sunday’s third round FA Cup clash at Cardiff City for which Pascal Struijk, Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson and Willy Gnonto were the only players to start who also lined up in the midweek league hosting of West Ham United.
Joel Robles, Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente, Junior Firpo, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt all came into the side as Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Rodrigo dropped out. Meslier had a muscular issue with his kicking leg whilst Cooper and Koch were suffering from glute strains. Harrison and Roca were not at 100 per cent and therefore on the bench which featured new signing Max Wober who made his Whites debut in the second half. Adams, meanwhile, was rested by design due to the Achilles issue he suffered at the World Cup.
Patrick Bamford, Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw, longer term absentee Stuart Dallas and also Archie Gray were already known to be out injured but Marsch revealed at Thursday’s pre-match press conference that Bamford had returned to training and would be in the Whites squad to face Villa.
Marsch, though, also revealed that Summerville was now facing a month out with an ankle injury, joining Sinisterra and Gray on the sidelines. But there was no report of any other injuries from Marsch who said Meslier was fine to play and Cooper has already revealed this week that he would be fine to return on Friday night.
Villa and Leeds will do battle in an 8pm kick-off under the Villa Park lights and this is how we think Leeds will line up.
7. CM - Marc Roca
Lining up with a 4-3-3 is a distinct possibility but the 4-2-2-2 has generally been Marsch's go-to system with Roca the usual partner alongside Adams in front of the back four. Sam Greenwood and Adam Forshaw - if fit - are the chief alternatives. Photo: George Wood
8. LW - Jack Harrison
There will definitely be at least one change to the front four due to Crysencio Summerville's injury which is clearly a blow. The strong likelihood is that Harrison will come back into the side following two games without starting but that could be on either flank or even at no 10. On the left looks the percentage call. Photo: George Wood
9. RW - Willy Gnonto
The rapidly progressing Gnonto is already becoming one of the first names on the team sheet at just 19 years old. He surely has to start and it's just a case of whether it's out wide or at no 10. Possibly on the right flank to start with in the absence of his good mate Summerville. Photo: Stu Forster
10. ACM - Brenden Aaronson
It's not really happened for Aaronson since the return to action after the World Cup break and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him on the bench, even with Summerville out, perhaps with Joe Gelhardt or Sam Greenwood starting, or possibly Wober in a 4-3-3. But Aaronson has started all 17 of United's league games this season and that will probably continue though, once again, whether that is out wide or at no 10 remains to be seen. Probably in the no 10 role. Needs a return to his best and will hopefully find it at Villa. Photo: George Wood
11. ST - Rodrigo
Bamford's return is a boost but there can be no doubt that Rodrigo starts upfront following a haul of seven goals from his last nine games. The record signing is a player in a rich vein of form and sits fifth in the Premier League top scorer charts on ten goals. Bamford will presumably make the bench and it will be interesting to see if he finally gets on following what is now two and a half months out and if he replaces Rodrigo from the bench or joins him together in a front two. Gelhardt is the main alternative. Photo: George Wood