7M - Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Leeds United

On February 21, 2026, Aston Villa will host Leeds United at Villa Park in a crucial Premier League clash. Both teams come into this match after contrasting results in the FA Cup fourth round, with Villa looking to rebound after a recent loss, while Leeds secured their place in the next round.

Match Overview

Aston Villa seeks to achieve their first top-flight double over Leeds United since 2000, having won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Elland Road three months ago. Despite exiting the FA Cup with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Newcastle, Villa remains focused on the Premier League, emphasizing their priority to secure a top-five finish and Champions League football.

With 50 points already accumulated in the league, Villa aims to close the gap on leaders Arsenal, who hold a five-point lead. Under Unai Emery, they remain unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Leeds, boasting a strong record against promoted teams.

Leeds, on the other hand, comes off an FA Cup victory over Birmingham City, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They are looking to build on a recent positive run, having only lost two matches since December, but they have drawn the most games in that period, highlighting their struggle to convert draws into wins.

Team News

Aston Villa will miss key players including Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Boubacar Kamara due to injuries. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot is suspended following a red card, which paves the way for Emiliano Martinez to start. Morgan Rogers, a standout performer this season, is expected to feature prominently.

Leeds will be without Noah Okafor due to a hamstring strain. However, they welcome back players like Pascal Struijk and Daniel James, who could bolster their defense. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to lead the attack, supported by Brenden Aaronson and possibly Willy Gnonto.

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Leeds United: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Gnonto, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin

Final Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United

While Leeds has proven tough to beat recently, Villa's home advantage and their strong record against promoted sides suggest that they should secure a narrow victory. A competitive match is likely, but Villa's increasing focus on securing a top-five finish could be the deciding factor.