Aston Villa's Steven Gerrard makes prediction about Leeds fans

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has given his verdict on Leeds United ahead of his side’s Premier League trip to Elland Road.

The Villans and the Whites lock horns in Yorkshire on Thursday evening.

Villa are back in form, winning their last two league games, but Leeds are in desperate need of points.

The Whites haven’t won a game since mid-January, when they beat West Ham 3-2 in the league.

Leeds’ poor run has seen them fall to some heavy defeats, including a 6-0 hammering by Liverpool.

The Elland Road hierarchy opted to make a change in the dugout, replacing Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch.

Leeds lost 1-0 to Leicester last week, but they looked a lot more solid at the back and were unlucky to get nothing out of the game.

“We need to be ready for that”

Gerrard, speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Elland Road, acknowledged his charges are in for a “tough” game there as always.

He also lauded their “fantastic” stadium and predicted that the Leeds faithful will play a big part in backing their new manager,

“It’s always tough there,” BBC Sport (9/3/22, 12:07) quotes Gerrard as saying.

“It’s a fantastic stadium and the fans get right behind the team.

“I’m sure they are ready to get right behind the manager, so we need to be ready for that.”

Both Villa and Leeds received some positive injury updates ahead of their match.

Leeds look set to welcome Diego Llorente and Patrick Bamford to the fold, the latter on the bench for now.

Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne are back in contention for Thursday’s match.