The Athletic's Phil Hay has revealed some early team news ahead of Leeds United's Premier League clash against Aston Villa tonight...

What's the story?

Writing in his pre-match intro for The Athletic's coverage of the game, Hay revealed: "It's the first home game since Marcelo Bielsa's departure and the first since Jesse Marsch's appointment as head coach. Leeds played well in Marsch's opening fixture on Saturday, away at Leicester, and despite the injury to Tyler Roberts, his hand is stronger this evening.

"Adam Forshaw is fit enough to start, Diego Llorente is back from injury and Marsch indicated yesterday that Patrick Bamford would get minutes against Villa. The last time Bamford played was at the start of December - his return should be a big shot in the arm."

Big boost for Leeds

While Marcelo Bielsa struggled badly for results this season in the Premier League, the Argentine suffered some awful luck with losing some of his key players to injury.

There has been an immediate improvement on that front for Marsch, with Patrick Bamford's return to the fold and likely appearance off the bench is a massive boost for Leeds heading into the business end of the season.

News of Diego Llorente's availability, and that Adam Forshaw is also "fit enough to start" according to Hay, is further good news for the Leeds boss as he looks to pick up his first win in charge of the club.

The display against Leicester offered encouraging signs for the American, and he will be hoping that being backed by a strong home crowd at Elland Road for the first time, might prove to be the added lift his struggling side need.

Leeds fans should be buzzing with the early team news coming out ahead of tonight's game.

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