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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa pays compliment to Aston Villa

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Aston Villa are currently 15 points behind Leeds United in the Championship standings.

Marcelo Bielsa, manager of Leeds United before the Sky Bet Championship match between Rotherham United and Leeds United at the New York Stadium, Rotherham on Saturday 26th January 2019.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Aston Villa are still one of his side’s promotion rivals.

Villa are currently in 10th place in the Championship table, and they sit 15 points behind Leeds.

However, Bielsa insists that he still considers Villa to be a threat to his side’s chances of promotion.

“Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Derby, Sheffield United, West Brom – it would be a mistake to think any of these teams are not important,” Bielsa said.

“We can’t ignore their potential and I only quoted the teams who came to mind. Football usually makes sure that things which seem evident to everyone don’t happen.”

Leeds have only played Villa once this season, when they took three points off Dean Smith’s side in dramatic circumstances.

Leeds United manger Marcelo Bielsa during the  Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Leeds United at Bet365 Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Stoke on Trent, England.

Leeds had to come from 2-0 down at Villa Park to seal the victory in what was a hotly contested match.

The Whites do have a healthy advantage over Villa, but Smith’s men look better placed after the January transfer window.

Villa have brought in Tyrone Mings, Tom Carroll, Lovre Kalinic and Kortney Hause to bolster their options for the remainder of the campaign, as they look to push into the top six.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa watches on during the first half during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Derby County at Elland Road on January 11, 2019 in Leeds,...