Stuart Attwell is set to be the man with the whistle when Leeds United return to Premier League action against Aston Villa this weekend. The Whites’ 29-day wait for a game will end at Elland Road on Sunday as Steven Gerrard’s side make the trip up north to West Yorkshire.
Attwell has refereed Leeds once so far this season, when they defeated Chelsea 3-0 back in August, which was the last time Jesse Marsch’s side picked up all three points. The 39-year-old produced a decent performance that day, sending off Kalibou Koulibaly in the second half for a second bookable offence.
He took charge of just two Leeds matches in all competitions last season, both of which were surrounded by controversy. First was the Whites’ FA Cup defeat at West Ham United in January, where the Hammers’ opening goal showed a clear offside in the build-up by Jarrod Bowen but was given anyway.
READ MORE: Italian media deliver Wilfried Gnonto verdict as Leeds United man reportedly 'struggles' despite win
Then was Leeds’ last-gasp 2-1 victory over Norwich City in March, where Luke Ayling was a little fortunate not to be sent off in the first half. Attwell then awarded the visitors a penalty in the second 45 minutes, which was subsequently overturned by VAR.
Attwell was the also the man in the middle for Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Aston Villa back in April 2019, when Marcelo Bielsa insisted on giving Dean Smith’s side a goal after they were incensed by the Whites’ refusal to kick the ball out in the build-up to Mateusz Klich’s goal.
Other notable picks on the officiating team include Michael Salisbury on VAR, who refereed Leeds’ defeat to Brighton earlier this season. Salisbury showed Marsch a yellow card that afternoon after the Whites boss voiced his frustration on the touchline at a number of decisions.
READ NEXT:
- Bielsa's Leeds United banishment and first-team interference in Academy Dreams episode three
- Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood's near-telepathic bond as Leeds United pair discuss chemistry
- Kalvin Phillips reveals Man City stars' disbelief about ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa
- Victor Orta's glowing Joe Gelhardt praise as striker lifts lid on his Leeds United switch
- Andrea Radrizzani's verdicts on Leeds United duo Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt
