Leeds United are out of form, and Aston Villa have finally found theirs.
Leeds’ Liam Cooper is substituted after sustaining an injury as Leeds United manager Garry Monk looks on
Leeds United face a battle this weekend against Preston, as they bid to get back on form after two successive defeats.
The Whites are at risk of falling out of the play-off positions, with Preston one of the sides hoping to overhaul them, along with Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday.
Perhaps the most ominous team on the horizon are Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa, who sit in 11th, and have won their last four matches.
There is a 12 point gap between the two sides, and Villa are just nine back from the play-offs. At this shaky and nerve racking time of year, such gaps can easily be overhauled.
Villa’s may not be able to finish above Leeds, but if they can get into the play-offs, they are a side Garry Monk’s team will surely be keen to avoid based on the form they have begun to show.
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia celebrates scoring their second goal
Since they last played in late December, Villa have bought big, adding Henri Lansbury, James Bree, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan, and they are finally clicking, inspired by the terrific form of Jonathan Kodjia.
It is not just this season Leeds should be worried. Villa’s late season form shows how tough the Championship will be next season, especially as they are expected to spend again this summer.
That makes it even more imperative Monk’s side seize their chance to clinch promotion this campaign.
They are happy to admit they have over achieved against expectations this season, defying their transfer budget to sit as the fifth highest team.
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