Noah Okafor believes Leeds United must fight from the first whistle if they are to have any chance of reversing their poor run of form against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Having lost four of their last five games ahead of the international break, Leeds sit 16th in the Premier League table, only a point clear of the relegation zone. 

Nottingham Forest and West Ham both look rejuvenated following managerial changes and have cut Leeds' buffer to the danger zone, which has led to suggestions head coach Daniel Farke could soon come under pressure. 

Looking ahead to Sunday's return to Premier League action at Elland Road, Okafor told the club's website: "We need to be a little bit more aware or awake in a few moments. As a team, we must defend together, and we must go on offense together, use our weapons.

"In this league, the best league in the world, it's small details. When you are not 100% ready for five seconds, these things can kill a game.

"We have to go with full energy from the first second and take the fans with us. In the end, whoever wins more duels will win the game."

Leeds did at least come through the international break with a clean bill of health, leaving Farke with a fully fit squad to choose from.

"The most important thing is no one came back injured. Everyone is in a good mood. So, I have all the players available," he said.

"Not one player is injured so that's really, really good news. Today was the first time we had the whole group back on the training pitch."

Villa went into the hiatus sixth in the table, having won five of their last six Premier League games after enduring a five-match winless streak to open the campaign.

They also tied star midfielder Morgan Rogers down to a new six-year contract before he linked up with the England squad, and the 23-year-old is excited to see what the future holds.

"As a group, we're all aligned in knowing that we can push this thing even further," Rogers told Villa's media channels.

"We've come a long way in such a short space of time but we've got ability, the players and definitely the staff and the manager as well, so we can't see why not."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leeds United – Joe Rodon

Rodon has been a dependable performer at the back for Leeds this season, while he has also had an impact from set-pieces at the other end.

Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (11) has won more first contacts at attacking corners in the Premier League this season than the Wales international (10).

Aston Villa – Emiliano Buendia

Buendia has been involved in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Aston Villa, scoring three and assisting two.

That is as many goal contributions as he managed in his previous 37 league appearances, and he has averaged a goal involvement every 39 minutes in these last five matches.

MATCH PREDICTION – ASTON VILLA WIN

Leeds are winless in their last five Premier League games against Aston Villa (two draws, three losses), since a 3-0 away win under Marcelo Bielsa in October 2020.

Villa have also lost on just one of their last 11 Premier League visits to Villa Park, winning four and drawing six, with that sole loss coming under Graham Taylor in May 2003.

Furthermore, each of Leeds' last seven Premier League wins have come against teams starting the day in 13th place or lower in the table.

They have not won any of their last 17 matches against teams starting the day in the top half, drawing six and losing 11, since winning 2-1 at Liverpool (eighth) in October 2022.

And Emery has never lost a Premier League game to a newly promoted team, winning 13 and losing four. 

Villa's last such defeat came in Steven Gerrard's final game in charge in October 2022, as they lost 3-0 to Fulham.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Leeds United – 22.8%

Aston Villa – 55%

Draw – 22.2%