Aston Villa vs Leeds starting lineups confirmed - as Unai Emery makes NINE changes for clash

Kick off is fast approaching for Aston Villa vs Leeds United as both teams hope to propel themselves up the Premier League table after disappointing results in the Emirates FA Cup. The hosts head into the clash in mixed form having beaten Tottenham Hotspur away from home 12 days ago but stalling to a 1-1 draw against Wolves and crushing with a 2-1 defeat to Stevenage immediately after.

The visitors are without a win in their last four Premier League matches and they were unable to beat Cardiff City in the FA Cup, despite playing against 10 men toward the end of the game in the Welsh capital. Jesse Marsch and his men last tasted a league victory on November 5 as they were on the bright side of a 4-3 thriller at Elland Road.

Unai Emery has opted to make a whopping nine changes from the game against Stevenage as his side prepares to take on Leeds under the lights at Villa Park. Emery has made a real statement by keeping out-of-form forward Leon Bailey in the lineup with the Jamaican really struggling of late. The head coach has a lot of faith in him.

Lining up alongside Bailey in the advanced positions are Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendia, whereas the regular defensive midfield pairing of Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara is reunited. The back four consists of Lucas Digne, Ashley Young, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings, with Emiliano Martinez between the sticks in behind them.

The full starting lineups and substitutes can be found below.

Aston Villa starting lineup and subs vs Leeds United

Villa starting XI: Martinez (GK); A. Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne; D. Luiz, Kamara, Buendia; J. Ramsey, Watkins, Bailey.

Villa subs: Olsen (GK), Sanson, Ings, Alex Moreno, Chambers, Nakamba, Bednarek, Coutinho, K. Young.

Leeds United starting lineup and subs vs Aston Villa

Leeds starting XI: Meslier (GK); Ayling, Struijk, Koch, Cooper; Adams, Roca, Aaronson; Harrison, Gnonto, Rodrigo.

Leeds subs: Robles (GK), Firpo, Bamford, Llorente, Perkins, Kristensen, Gelhardt, Wober, Greenwood.