Aston Villa

Tuanzebe hopes for statement win over Leeds

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Image for Tuanzebe hopes for statement win over Leeds

Axel Tuanzebe has spoken out ahead of Aston Villa’s Championship clash with Leeds United on Sunday, and has claimed that his side are desperate to record a statement win over the league leaders.

The 21-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has been a key member of a Villa team that has undergone a resurgence since Dean Smith took over, and believes that the clash at Villa Park has the potential to be huge.

As quoted in the Express and Star, he said: “Beating the league leaders would send a message out there. That is our next target and we will be working hard this week to come up with a way to do it.

“It will be tough. I don’t think we should expect anything less. But we will be going out to win.

“We don’t care who you are, what team we are playing against. We will always go out to win.”

He added: “The rest of the division will all be watching. It’s a big game.

“Anyone can beat anyone else in this league but winning this one would deliver a big statement and get us back on track.

“They are a big club and we are a big club. It will be two titans thrashing it out.”

OPINION

Aston Villa have hit a bit of a bump on the road in recent weeks. After a storming start to life under Dean Smith that saw them rocket up the Championship table, they have recorded three draws in their last four matches and sit three points off the play-offs in eighth. There is no doubting the quality in the Villains’ side, and they will believe that this recent dip in form is a hiccup and nothing more. A win against Leeds would be the perfect way to prove that point, but it won’t be easy. Marcelo Bielsa’s side look to be in their most ruthless form of the campaign too and will take some stopping. That being said, if there is one thing to remember about the Championship it is that there are about 10 teams with realistic aspirations of promotion, and anybody can beat anybody. Should they sneak something, in front of their own fans, on Sunday, then Villa might make themselves one of the more fancied prospects, despite their league position. 

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