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da aviator aposta： Leeds United confirmed on Wednesday that Liam Cooper was back in training after his knee injury, and boss Marcelo Bielsa should throw him straight into the starting XI to deal with the threat of Tammy Abraham against Aston Villa on Sunday.
On the chalkboard
The Whites have been unlucky with injuries so far this season, but Bielsa has still managed to guide them to the top of the Championship table. In recent weeks though, the Argentine boss has been forced to start midfielder Kalvin Phillips out of position at centre-back with Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling both out as well as Cooper.
Cooper’s recovery though has been remarkable and he must be put straight back into the team on Sunday. It was only in early December when the 27-year-old underwent knee surgery in Italy, having picked up the injury during the 1-0 victory over Sheffield United, but he is already back out on the pitch.
Villa’s main threat
Cooper should be included against Villa to deal with Abraham, who has proven himself to be the main threat of Dean Smith’s side. In fact, the 21-year-old Chelsea loanee has now scored 12 goals in 16 league games already this season.
A natural centre-back such as Cooper will be necessary to deal with him, as Abraham is a traditional striker who likes to hold the ball up and win headers.
However, Jonathan Kodjia has often been used as a substitute by Dean Smith and in the recent 2-2 draw with Stoke he won a penalty and then scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for Villa, extending their unbeaten run to seven games in the process.
Whether he is rewarded with a start or once again comes on from the bench, he will present a different threat to Abraham and the two could cause Leeds problems, meaning Cooper would surely be the preferred option.
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