OPINION
With Aston Villa suffering a disappointing play-off defeat last season and Leeds United suffering an even more disappointing 13th placed finish, very few could have predicted how the two sides’ fortunes have been turned around this season.
The Whites have risen through the ranks at an alarming rate under Marcelo Bielsa, leading the way into the new year with confident and exciting performances despite a lack of new arrivals at Elland Road.
Villa meanwhile did go out and get a whole host of new faces through the door but they have endured a difficult campaign under both Steve Bruce and Dean Smith currently sitting 13th, seven points off the top six.
The Villans have already seen their ties cut with one of their summer signings, Yannick Bolasie heading back early from his loan spell with Everton – and Leeds need to stick the knife into their Championship rivals by launching a move for the newly available Toffees man.
We can confirm that @YannickBolasie is returning to parent club Everton.
The club would like to thank Yannick for his contribution to us this season.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/ae7jATs9dW
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 21, 2019
The Liverpool Echo state that he is not in Marco Silva’s plans for the rest of the season and with Leeds reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post to be hunting a new winger Bolasie can give them the talent to fire them to the second tier title.
He has everything in his locker to be a success in the Championship, from experience of the division to his electric pace and cutting edge and Leeds could flourish with him on either wing.
Not only would it be a brilliant signing at Elland Road but it would be a real blow to Villa to see the Everton man be a success elsewhere in the league, and you just know that the Leeds faithful would love the chance to rub salt into the wounds of the Villans.