Leeds United aiming to 'step it up' as pre-season takes demanding turn against Aston Villa

Leeds United fans can expect to learn plenty more about Jesse Marsch’s side over the next week as pre-season takes a more demanding turn. The Whites have picked up two wins so far this summer, seeing off Blackpool in York before flying out to Australia and beating Brisbane Roar in the first game of their tour Down Under.

However, Leeds will meet Premier League opposition on Sunday when they take on Aston Villa at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, just an hour up the road from their previous base in Gold Coast. Steven Gerrard’s side will provide a stern test for Leeds and Marsch will be keen to see his side’s progress in front of what is expected to be a sizeable crowd.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw should be involved in some capacity against the Villans, and against Crystal Palace in Perth on Friday, and he’s eager for Leeds to kick on as they continue their preparations for the season ahead.

“I think with the greatest respect (to Brisbane and Blackpool) the tougher games are going to come now,” Forshaw said after Saturday’s open training session in Brisbane.

“We’re looking forward to it and we’re building well. It’s pre-season but we’ve won every game and we’re scoring goals so it’s looking positive. We’ll be looking to step it up now in the next couple of games against Premier League opposition.”

The Whites are approaching the end of their first week in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s fair to say the tour has been a roaring success so far. Every promotional event has been well attended by both the locals and those who have made the trip to Queensland to cheer on the Whites and it seems the club has left its mark.

The squad have been working hard over the last few days, but they have had chance to get out and soak up their