Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United - LIVE BLOG: Marcelo Bielsa post-match reaction at Villa Park

Leeds United travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight as Marcelo Bielsa's side return to action following an 18-day break from matches.
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Aston Villa v Leeds United - LIVE BLOG

Key Events

  • Leeds travel to face Villa on Wednesday
  • Whites return to action after 18-day break
  • Leeds 15th, Villa are 11th
  • Kick-off at Villa Park is at 8pm
  • ---------------------------------------------
  • FT: Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United

Confirmed Aston Villa team news

Here’s team news in full

Both teams have headed back into the changing rooms... we’ll await to see them again before kick-off. It’s an 8pm start here this evening.

Gerrard ahead of kick-off

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard, speaking to BT Sport: “We felt it has been a good time to reset and really go over our identity, our style and how we wanted to look going forward. We have had people in different places. A few people have had a rest who didn’t really get that in the summer. We have had internationals away, who have all had a good time. They should be full of confidence. We believe we are in a good place. Hopefully, that will show tonight.

“We want to build on the last result and performance. We had to win in a different way at Everton. They put us under pressure at the end but we showed we can fight and compete and win in a different way. Tonight we are at home and I want us to attack, play well and win in style. We also have to stop Leeds’ strengths because they have four really dangerous attackers with pace and speed. They like to counter so our counter-press and balance need to be spot on.

“We need to win as many duels as we can across the pitch. We know they have match-winners. If we can nullify their threat in the front four, we believe we will get opportunities and can create our own good moments. In terms of respect for this manager and team, Leeds are capable of beating anyone on their day if you allow them to show their style.”

Bielsa ahead of kick-off

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa speaking to BT Sport: “We had a long period of inactivity that we used to rest on one side and prepare on the other. It allowed us to recover some players that have been out of the team.”

On Daniel James playing up front: “I have the idea that he can play in this position. For Wales he shares the attack and he is a player who likes to get in behind. If you watch the games, when there is a cross into the box he is always there making runs to get on the end of it. If you see the two games prior to Newcastle, we score six goals with him in this position. Our last 20 minutes we played with three centre forwards and did not create any danger. That doesn’t absolve James or condemn the other players.”

Here come the teams

Villa Park roars as both sets of players emerge from the tunnel... updates to come.

We’ve had the pre-match Premier League anthem... coin toss next and then it’ll be kick-off. Updates to follow.

1. We’re up and running at Villa Park... updates to come.

2. Some nice play on the near side from Coutinho, Digne wins a corner as Llorente blocks.

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