Mark Lawrenson lauds "very strong" Leeds United and makes Aston Villa scoreline prediction

Leeds United will look to continue their surge up the Premier League table this weekend, when they take on Aston Villa at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
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In his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, pundit and broadcaster Mark Lawrenson tipped the Whites to secure a 2-0 win against Dean Smith's side.

Justifying his prediction, the ex-Liverpool defender claimed: "Leeds were really strong against Southampton in midweek, and won without Kalvin Phillips in their team.

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"The only other time that has happened this season came when they beat Aston Villa in the reverse of this fixture in October. Phillips is still injured and I am going for the same outcome again this time.

Leeds United's English striker Patrick Bamford (L) shoots to score their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on October 23, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Leeds United's English striker Patrick Bamford (L) shoots to score their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on October 23, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Leeds United's English striker Patrick Bamford (L) shoots to score their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on October 23, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

He continued: I've talked before about how Phillips knits Leeds together and they are not the same without him - well, we found out what Villa are like without Jack Grealish when they lost to Leicester at the weekend.

"They looked ordinary against the Foxes."

Meanwhile, Lawro's opponent for the week, London Grammar member Dot Major, tipped the Villains to claim a 2-1 win on the road.

When the two sides last met, back in October, a stunning Patrick Bamford hat-trick saw Marcelo Bielsa's men romp to a 3-0 victory at Villa Park.Here are all of Lawro's predictions in full:

Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United

West Bromwich 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Leeds United 2-0 Aston Villa

Newcastle United 0-2 Wolves

Crystal Palace 2-1 Fulham

Leicester 2-1 Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Burnley

Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd

Sheffield United 0-2 Liverpool

Everton 2-0 Southampton