Patrick Bamford produced his best performance in a Leeds United shirt in the club’s last win over Aston Villa.
Leeds United have not had much luck against Aston Villa in the Premier League, as they prepare to face the Villans in a crucial encounter.
Daniel Farke has a full-strength squad to choose from as he looks to get his side back to winning ways and steer them away from the bottom three.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to return to the starting line-up at the weekend, and he was going toe-to-toe with Leeds hero Patrick Bamford in the goalscoring charts last time Leeds beat Villa in the top flight.
Farke would desperately love Calvert-Lewin to replicate Bamford’s heroics this weekend, as he matched former Leeds star Eric Cantona in a famous win in 2020.
Prediction for Leeds United v Aston Villa
Patrick Bamford starred in Leeds United’s last win over Aston Villa
Marcelo Bielsa was in charge when Leeds travelled to Villa Park in October 2020, as the Whites looked to continue their strong start to the season.
The Argentinian hero pulled off a tactical masterstroke 20 minutes into the game, as he managed to arrest a strong Villa start.
Bielsa was never afraid of making difficult decisions, and he did just that at Villa Park, substituting Pascal Struijk after just 20 minutes, replacing him with the energetic Jamie Shackleton.
This helped spark Leeds into life, and Bamford burst into life, producing a finishing clinic in the second half as he grabbed Leeds’ first Premier League hat-trick since Mark Viduka in 2003.
His first goal came from a classic Bielsa-era counter-attack, which ended when Bamford reacted quickest to poke home after Rodrigo’s shot was saved.
Bamford’s second was a wonderful finish, as he collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and rifled the ball into the top corner with his left foot.
His third showcased his neat footwork, as he received the ball in a tight space in the Villa box, surrounded by four defenders. Somehow, he worked enough space to shoot, curling the ball into the far corner to complete a stunning hat-trick.
Patrick Bamford matches Eric Cantona record for Leeds United
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Bielsa praised Bamford as a “noble” player, stating: “Very happy for Patrick because he scored some wonderful goals. Apart from that, he is a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team.”
Not only did Bamford’s goal announce Leeds’ arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the top flight, but it also saw him match a record set by Cantona in the 1992/93 season.
Bamford’s hat-trick against Villa meant he had scored six goals in the first six games of the season, a feat only matched by Cantona for Leeds. Bamford also became the first Leeds player to score in their first three away games of a season since Gordon Hodgson in the 1937/38 season.
It is a shame for Bamford that his best days for Leeds came behind closed doors. Although he remains a firm favourite, he deserved the full adoration of the Elland Road crowd in the 2020/21 season.
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