Noah Okafor believes Leeds United must fight from the first whistle if they are to have any chance of reversing their poor run of form against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Having lost four of their last five games ahead of the international break, Leeds sit 16th in the Premier League table, only a point clear of the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest and West Ham both look rejuvenated following managerial changes and have cut Leeds' buffer to the danger zone, which has led to suggestions head coach Daniel Farke could soon come under pressure.
Looking ahead to Sunday's return to Premier League action at Elland Road, Okafor told the club's website: "We need to be a little bit more aware or awake in a few moments. As a team, we must defend together, and we must go on offense together, use our weapons.
"In this league, the best league in the world, it's small details. When you are not 100% ready for five seconds, these things can kill a game.
"We have to go with full energy from the first second and take the fans with us. In the end, whoever wins more duels will win the game."
Leeds did at least come through the international break with a clean bill of health, leaving Farke with a fully fit squad to choose from.
"The most important thing is no one came back injured. Everyone is in a good mood. So, I have all the players available," he said.
"Not one player is injured so that's really, really good news. Today was the first time we had the whole group back on the training pitch."
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ: ๐๐๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฉ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ pic.twitter.com/ULzgnYYCd6
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) November 20, 2025
Villa went into the hiatus sixth in the table, having won five of their last six Premier League games after enduring a five-match winless streak to open the campaign.
They also tied star midfielder Morgan Rogers down to a new six-year contract before he linked up with the England squad, and the 23-year-old is excited to see what the future holds.
"As a group, we're all aligned in knowing that we can push this thing even further," Rogers told Villa's media channels.
"We've come a long way in such a short space of time but we've got ability, the players and definitely the staff and the manager as well, so we can't see why not."
Evann x Morgz pic.twitter.com/r5MkDM6Q86
โ Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 21, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leeds United โ Joe Rodon
Rodon has been a dependable performer at the back for Leeds this season, while he has also had an impact from set-pieces at the other end.
Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (11) has won more first contacts at attacking corners in the Premier League this season than the Wales international (10).
Aston Villa โ Emiliano Buendia
Buendia has been involved in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Aston Villa, scoring three and assisting two.
That is as many goal contributions as he managed in his previous 37 league appearances, and he has averaged a goal involvement every 39 minutes in these last five matches.