Steven Gerrard has shared that he ‘heard’ Marcelo Bielsa would try ‘different training regimes’ at Leeds United and try to back them up in games, as he told his Aston Villa press conference.
The Aston Villa boss thinks Jesse Marsch will want to ‘put his own stamp on things’ and change the previous all-action style Leeds have been used to.
In a few hours time, Marsch will take charge of his first home game at Elland Road when Villa will make the trip to Yorkshire.
The last time the two sleeping giants met, they recorded a 3-3 draw at Villa Park in an action-packed game.
Ahead of tonight’s fixture, Gerrard shared his thoughts on the changes Marsch could make compared to Bielsa.
“Tactically, you’ll see a change,” said Gerrard. “You’ll have seen that in the game against Leicester. Marcelo Bielsa was very unique, as in certain areas of the pitch he’d go man-to-man and players would get followed in different positions.
“You also heard about different training regimes that they’d practice and try to back up in the games. I’m sure Jesse will want to put his own stamp on things.
“You could see at the weekend that there were slight changes, in terms of tactics. Personnel-wise, it won’t be too much different. We know we’re in for a tough game. Watching Leeds at the weekend, they could have quite easily have got something out of the game.
“They were very dangerous going forward and we know they’ve got great attacking players. They didn’t give too much away the other end either, so there was an improvement from afar.”
It doesn’t help Marsch’s matters that Villa come into this game on the back of some strong performances.
Albeit a two-game sample, they have scored six and kept two clean sheets, including thrashing in-form Southampton 4-0 last time out.
That will make life tougher for Leeds, but Villa’s front-foot style should still help Marsch in getting at the Midlands outfit tonight.
Given the drama that usually follows this fixture, it wouldn’t be a surprise if more of the same happens again.
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