Leeds face an Aston Villa side in good form on Sunday.
Elland Road plays host to an interesting spectacle this weekend as Unai Emery – who has praised Leeds – brings his team to Yorkshire, on a fine run of eight wins from their last ten games.
In stark contrast, Daniel Farke has suffered four defeats in his last five.
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However, there is one positive for Leeds to cling on to, after the BBC revealed that Aston Villa are the only side less clinical than the Whites so far this season.
Only Aston Villa have been more wasteful than Leeds United
Leeds have been pretty wasteful when it comes to finishing this season, converting only five of their 22 ‘big chances’ in the Premier League – a success rate of just 22.7%.
While that will concern Leeds fans, there is consolation to take from the fact Aston Villa are even more ineffective in front of goal.
Percentage of ‘big chances’ scored this season
- Aston Villa – 20%
- Leeds United – 22.7%
- Liverpool – 27.3%
- Newcastle – 30%
- Everton – 30.4%
- Crystal Palace – 32.4%
The Villans have only converted 20% of their ‘big chances’ this term, missing 12 of their 15 clear-cut opportunities.
Daniel Farke has no excuses now for Aston Villa clash
It means, even if Emery – who is 17 games unbeaten against promoted sides – outclasses Farke tactically, the Spaniard could still see his players let him down in the final third, giving Leeds a chance to take advantage.
Leeds United have to make sure they shut Aston Villa down
One thing Aston Villa have excelled at this season is scoring from distance.
Emery – who Leeds nearly hired themselves – has seen his side score seven goals from outside the box so far this term, more than any other club in the Premier League.
Aston Villa also rank second in the division for shots taken from outside the area with 19 efforts.
It means Leeds simply cannot afford to give the Villans time and space on the edge of the area, or else Lucas Perri may find himself beaten by a long-range strike.
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