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Aidan McCartney

Liam Rosenior changes mind over Leeds United and Aston Villa ahead of potential final

Liam Rosenior appears to have changed his mind about who will be heading to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.

The Sky Sports EFL expert had previously explained how Aston Villa were his favourites to win the Wembley final but Leeds' first leg win over Derby County may have altered his thinking.

Kemar Roofe scored the only goal as Leeds ended a terrible run of form to take an advantage in to the second leg on Wednesday night.

Rosenior claimed that Leeds 'dominated' Derby and he is now seeing Marcelo Bielsa's side as favourites ahead of a potential final against either Vila or West Brom.

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Aston Villa are 2-1 up from the first leg at Villa Park ahead of the game at Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Speaking to The Debate on Sky Sports, Rosenior discussed how the play-offs race will go.

"If it's a Leeds and Villa final: "The Premier League is in for an absolute treat," Rosenior said. "These clubs are absolutely massive."

Kemar Roofe in action. Championship Play-off First Leg - Derby County v Leeds United - Thursday 9th May 2019 - Pride Park (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)

"Before the playoffs started, I would have said Villa were favourites, but I watched Leeds play against Derby and they were absolutely fantastic.

"It's really difficult to go all the way until the end of the season and miss out on that top two and go again.

"I think it's actually been a blessing to Leeds that they did fall away with an extra week to spare because psychologically you can go and re-gather yourself. If they had missed out on the last day then it would have been very difficult to pick up and go again.

"I know they lost to Ipswich on the last day, but there was a real freshness to their play at Derby. They dominated from start to finish."

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