Key Points
- Leeds United secured a vital 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa on Saturday, with Anton Stach scoring a stunning first-half goal, extending their unbeaten league run to 14 games and leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone on 20 points from the last 14 matches compared to 11 from the first 13.
- Tottenham Hotspur, positioned two points and one place below Leeds, suffered a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Arsenal on Sunday in Igor Tudor’s first match as manager; Randal Kolo Muani scored Spurs’ goal, but Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze (two) and Viktor Gyökeres (two) ran riot.
- Former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp expressed he would have loved to return to help Tottenham, described Tudor’s appointment as a “gamble” due to his lack of English management experience, absolved him of blame for the derby loss, and praised Arsenal as a “different class” likely to win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.
- Leeds United have benefited from free-transfer signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who have scored 16 goals combined despite costing nothing [query].
- According to SportsBoom, West Ham United and Sunderland are eyeing Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik, the 23-year-old Slovenian who joined from Bordeaux for £2m in 2024, leads the Championship with 16 goals in 31 league games plus two in four EFL Cup matches, and is now valued at £15m.
- West Ham signed Valentin Castellanos and Pablo in January, while Sunderland languish as one of the lowest scorers with Brian Brobbey their only player on five goals [query].
- TEAMtalk reports that Arsenal’s Ben White could be forced out if the club pursue Sporting CP’s Ivan Fresneda to challenge Jurrien Timber; White has been limited to 24 league appearances since last season due to injuries, despite a successful 2019/20 loan at Leeds where he made 46 outings, scored one goal, and provided two assists.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 24, 2026 – Leeds United edged closer to Premier League safety with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, as Anton Stach’s brilliant first-half strike proved decisive in maintaining their impressive form. The result leaves the Whites six points clear of the drop zone, having amassed 20 points from their last 14 league games compared to just 11 from the opening 13 fixtures. This resilience underscores Leeds’ battle against relegation amid a packed lower-table scrap.
What Happened in Leeds’ Draw at Aston Villa?
Leeds United travelled to Villa Park and took the lead through midfielder Anton Stach in the 31st minute, curling a magnificent effort into the top corner after a well-worked move. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow was heroic at the interval, denying Amadou Onana twice from close range to preserve the advantage. Jaka Bijol replaced Gabriel Gudmundsson at half-time for the visitors, helping to shore up the defence amid growing Villa pressure.
Tammy Abraham equalised for Aston Villa in the 88th minute, flicking home from a corner after Ezra Konsa glanced on a header. Despite late chances, including Ollie Watkins having a goal ruled out for offside, Michael Oliver’s whistle confirmed a point apiece in front of 43,048 fans. As reported on the official Leeds United site, the Whites defended resolutely as Villa pushed for a winner.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha were threats upfront for Leeds, with Calvert-Lewin nearly scoring early and Nmecha’s diving header standing out, though neither found the net in this encounter. The draw positions Leeds favourably ahead of hosting Manchester City next weekend.
How Did Tottenham Fare Under New Boss Igor Tudor?
Tottenham Hotspur sit two points and one place below Leeds in the table, four points above relegation after a dismal 4-1 home loss to Arsenal on Sunday. It marked Igor Tudor’s debut as Spurs manager, with Randal Kolo Muani briefly levelling Eberechi Eze’s opener before Arsenal pulled away in the second half through Viktor Gyökeres (two) and Eze again.
Tudor, speaking post-match, admitted a “big psychophysical gap” between the teams and stressed the need for humility and hard work.
“I saw something in terms of foundations to build on but… there is still a lot of work to do,”
he told TottenhamHotspur.com. “Too many problems for this kind of team” against Arsenal. He highlighted pressing issues, injuries, and squad depth concerns, including January signings, but insisted time remains to turn things around.
Spurs have managed only two wins in 19 league games and 10 defeats this season, leaving them vulnerable [query]. Jamie Redknapp, in a separate but related context, warned post-derby that Tottenham risk another division next season if performances do not improve, calling it a “complete mismatch”.
What Did Harry Redknapp Say About Spurs and Tudor?
Harry Redknapp, former Tottenham manager, voiced strong opinions on the club via OneFootball coverage. He stated he “would have loved to return to help Spurs” amid their struggles. Redknapp labelled Tudor’s appointment a “gamble,” noting the Croatian “has not managed in England” despite a solid Italian record.
As reported by OneFootball, Redknapp absolved Tudor of blame for the Arsenal defeat:
“Tudor was not to blame for the derby.” He hailed Arsenal as looking “a different class” and predicted they
“will win the title with Manchester City chasing”.
Sky Sports News echoed Redknapp calling it a “big gamble” with relegation risks. Redknapp’s comments highlight the high stakes for Spurs in the north London derby aftermath.
Why Are West Ham and Sunderland Eyeing Zan Vipotnik?
SportsBoom reports that West Ham United and Sunderland AFC are ‘eyeing’ Swansea City’s prolific striker Zan Vipotnik ahead of potential January moves. The 23-year-old Slovenian joined Swansea from Bordeaux for £2m in summer 2024 after the French club’s financial woes led to a mutual contract termination.
Vipotnik leads the Championship scoring charts with 16 goals in 31 league appearances this season, plus two in four EFL Cup games, totalling around 17 goals in 34 outings per updated stats.
Swansea value him at £15m now, a significant rise. West Ham, who signed Valentin Castellanos and Pablo in January, seek attacking reinforcements, while Sunderland struggle offensively—Brian Brobbey their top scorer on five goals.
Vipotnik addressed early links to West Ham in 2024, telling the BBC: “It is nice to hear, but I am focused on my current club”. His form—22 goals in 71 Championship games for Swansea—makes him a hot prospect.
What Is Ben White’s Arsenal Situation?
TEAMtalk reports Arsenal may force out Ben White if they sign Sporting CP right-back Ivan Fresneda to rival Jurrien Timber. Injuries have restricted the Englishman to 24 league appearances since last season began, despite a strong 2019/20 loan at Leeds United yielding 46 outings, one goal, and two assists [query].
White, contracted until 2028, missed Arsenal’s 4-1 derby win at Spurs recently amid hamstring issues. Sports Mole notes Arsenal’s “huge interest” in the Spain-capped Fresneda, who could displace White despite the Gunners’ league-best defence. TEAMtalk positions this as part of summer defensive overhaul plans.
How Do These Results Affect the Relegation Battle?
Leeds’ draw bolsters their buffer, now six points clear after 14 unbeaten league games. Tottenham, two points behind in the nether regions, face mounting pressure post-derby humiliation, with only two wins in 19 [query]. West Ham’s striker hunt via Vipotnik signals ambition amid their own scrap, while Sunderland’s interest reflects scoring woes.
Redknapp’s stark warnings and Tudor’s realism paint a grim picture for Spurs. Arsenal’s dominance, potentially title-bound, contrasts sharply, with White’s future adding intrigue. Leeds fans eye safety, bolstered by bargain buys like Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha’s 16 goals [query].
This round-up captures the cut-throat Premier League and Championship crossover, where draws, gambles, and transfer whispers define survival.
