Leeds United’s £17m Midfielder Earns Farke’s Trust Ahead of Aston Villa Clash
Leeds, November 19 – As Leeds United gear up for a vital Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday, manager Daniel Farke has offered a strong endorsement of £17 million summer recruit Anton Stach, describing the German midfielder as a “key figure” in the club’s fight to avoid relegation.
Stach, 25, arrived from Hoffenheim in a club-record deal and has experienced an up-and-down introduction to life in West Yorkshire. After a stop-start beginning to the season, he has gradually established himself at the heart of Farke’s midfield. His energy, ball-winning ability and calmness in possession have begun to win supporters over, and Farke made clear in his pre-match press conference that the club’s investment is already paying off.
“Anton has fully justified our belief in him,” Farke said. “He’s adapted quickly to the Premier League and shown exactly why we pushed so hard to bring him in. His work rate and passing quality have been outstanding. He’s becoming a pillar of this team, not just for Sunday but for the long-term future of the club.”
Leeds sit just one point clear of the bottom three after a difficult run of results, with only one win in their last six games. Consecutive defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest have increased the pressure on Farke, who acknowledged that the meeting with Unai Emery’s in-form Villa – buoyed by strong European performances – could prove pivotal. Victory would lift Leeds to 14 points from 12 matches and provide breathing room in a season where survival remains the overriding target.
Stach’s rise comes at an important moment for a Leeds squad that has also relied heavily on fellow major summer arrival Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former Everton striker, a free transfer, has scored just once so far but remains central to Farke’s attacking plans, particularly against a Villa defence vulnerable in the air. However, it is in midfield where Stach may have the greatest impact, with Farke urging his side to match Villa’s intensity from the first whistle.
Villa, meanwhile, arrive with defensive worries of their own. Captain Ezri Konsa and defender Lamare Bogarde have both returned early from international duty for assessment, joining long-term absentee Tyrone Mings on the sidelines. Emery played down concerns but admitted the injuries have come at an inconvenient time.
For Farke, who guided Leeds back to the Premier League with a record-setting Championship campaign, the stakes are high. “There’s no panic here,” he insisted. “We stand by our players, and they’ve earned that trust. Anton represents that mentality, and if we show the same spirit on Sunday, we can change our momentum.”
As Leeds look to steady themselves in the top flight, Stach’s growing influence offers a timely boost. A standout display against Villa could help restore confidence and strengthen hopes of consolidating their Premier League status – with a midfielder who, as Farke puts it, is “only just beginning to show his best.” Kick-off is at 3pm, with Elland Road expected to be in full voice.