Leeds fans react as Peter Bankes set to referee Aston Villa clash on Sunday

Peter Bankes has been assigned to officiate Saturday evening’s clash between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road – and Leeds supporters have reacted in frustrated manner on Twitter, given their recent history with Bankes.

The Whites come into the match having beaten Southampton 3-0 at Elland Road, following a 1-0 loss to Wolves. Marcelo Bielsa’s men sit in a lofty tenth place in the Premier League table – with relegation miles off, with 13 points in between.

They come up against a Villa side who are in excellent form, and have enjoyed a brilliant season. However, they lost to Leicester last weekend – and could be without captain Jack Grealish for Saturday’s match. They sit in eighth, a point ahead.

However, they do have two games in hand over Leeds. The game has produced somewhat of a rivalry recently, especially after the incident in which Marcelo Bielsa ordered his side to allow Albert Adomah to score – earning the Fairplay award.

The last time Bankes reffed a Leeds game was the 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Crawley Town in January. Last season, he reffed one Leeds game – the 1-0 defeat to QPR in January in which Nahki Wells handled the ball into the net. Kalvin Phillips was sent off.

Oh dear not a good omen .. ta anyway i think 👍

— john west (@JohnWest682) February 25, 2021

3rd time lucky ?💛💙💛💙💛

— 💛💙🏆Steve(Marcelo)Flack🏆💙💛 (@TheCapt90267200) February 25, 2021

Ref-induced loss incoming then 🤔

— Marc Collins (@marccollins62) February 25, 2021

Oh dear…. https://t.co/KbLvQjVXWB

— Laurent 🏆💙💛🏆waccotw (@FrenchieLUFC) February 25, 2021

Peter Bankes for #lufc v Villa

He of the Nahki Wells double handball fame… 😡 https://t.co/00LMlTv5Of

— Tommo (@LUFC1992_v2) February 23, 2021

Oh no jo

— Jason pursell (@jaselufc) February 25, 2021