Leeds United: Ticket sales close to 30,000 mark for home clash with Villa

The club recorded a first sell-out in almost six years at Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, producing a crowd of 36,002, and a brisk take-up of seats for the visit of Villa on December 3 will also see a sizeable turn-out.

The meeting with Villa, who last played at Elland Road on Boxing Day in 2003, is another televised game involving Leeds, one of five in the space of 19 days.

Sky’s decision to broadcast the clash with Newcastle at Elland Road did not impinge on Sunday’s attendance and the crowd against Villa will comfortably clear the stadium’s league average of just over 25,000.

Leeds have moved again to open the upper tier of the East Stand and a statement said: “Like our last home game with Newcastle, there is a phenomenal demand for tickets with nearly 30,000 having been snapped up.

“Once again the decision has been made to open the East Stand Upper and we could be at full capacity for the second home game running.”

Leeds brought forward ticket sales for the meetings with Newcastle and Villa amid expectations of increased interest on the back of a strong run of form from Garry Monk’s side.

Defender Kyle Bartley admitted after Sunday’s defeat that he was hopeful of seeing the attendances hold up, saying: “We’ll reflect on this. Everyone knows how important it is to keep the crowd onside.

“It’s full credit to the staff and squad for getting a packed house here.

“It’s full credit to the fans for sticking with us, being loyal and coming out in their numbers week in and week out.

“Hopefully we can give the fans and club more games like this.”

United, meanwhile, are set to appoint Hannah Cox as their new club secretary.

Cox, who currently works in the same role at Bradford City, will replace Stuart Hayton who was sacked by Leeds in September.