OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa is facing one of the biggest games of the season when his side visits Villa Park on Sunday.
Aston Villa might be a way back in eighth place in the league, a full 12 points behind Leeds at the top, but make no mistake, they are promotion contenders.
Dean Smith has done a good job in guiding Villa back into contention and they’re now unbeaten in seven league games.
They will pose Leeds one massive problem too – Tammy Abraham a towering, menacing presence. Standing 6ft3in tall, he offers a unique threat, and he’s on-fire at the moment with eight goals in the last six games, including four against Nottingham Forest.
Then there’s Jonathan Kodjia, a strong centre-forward, who’s being used mainly as an impact player off the bench.
With Liam Cooper still out, although back in training, Marcelo Bielsa has preferred Kalvin Phillips in the centre-back position in recent games, but he needs to make way for Leeds’ own colossus, the 6ft5in Aapo Halme.
He’s only played four league games all season and only started two, but he will be able to deal with both threats way better than Phillips, whose best position is in the defensive midfield position.
It’s a problem that Bielsa might not have to cope with for too much longer, with Cooper back in training ahead of schedule.
But, if he wants three points on Sunday and to stay top of the league, Halme must start and Phillips must move back to where he’s most effective.