Wilfried Gnonto Already Sweating as Injury News Emerges Ahead of Aston Villa vs Leeds United

Leeds United face a mounting injury crisis ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa on February 21, putting pressure on underutilized winger Wilfried Gnonto to step up.

Double Blow: Okafor and James Sidelined

Leeds' attacking options have been decimated following their FA Cup penalty shootout win over Birmingham City. Noah Okafor, who assisted the opener before limping off with a hamstring injury, is confirmed out for 2-4 weeks, missing at least the Villa trip and Manchester City next weekend, and potentially up to five games including Sunderland, Norwich (FA Cup), and Crystal Palace.[1][2][4][6]

Dan James was absent from the lineup due to a fresh back injury, despite hopes for a start after his promising cameo against Nottingham Forest. Manager Daniel Farke provided no firm update on James, adding to the woes as Leeds prioritize Premier League survival.[1]

Gnonto's Big Opportunity – But Under Scrutiny

With Okafor and James out, the door is open for Gnonto, who has featured sparingly with just 349-350 Premier League minutes this season across four starts, his last in November before Farke's tactical shift to 3-5-2 favored wing-backs over wide attackers.[1][2][3]

Critics argue Farke has misutilized Gnonto by deploying him as a wing-back rather than in his natural wide role, limiting his flair despite his talent. His 6.19 WhoScored rating ranks him low, fueling rumors Leeds may cash in this summer, with a hefty sell-on clause.[2][3]

Gnonto could shine against Villa, but he'll need to prove his worth amid competition from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, and others.[1]

Silver Linings: Returns Boost Squad

Positive news includes the imminent returns of Anton Stach (44 chances created, top WhoScored rater at 7.11) and Pascal Struijk (6.80 rating) from hip injuries, though concerns linger about rushing them back for the tough Villa Park test.[2][3]

Leeds head to Villa Park desperate for points, with Gnonto's sweat potentially turning into a breakout moment – or heightened transfer speculation.[1][2][3][4]