![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Daniel-Farke-Brenden-Aaronson-Leeds-United-1140x644.jpg\")
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Credit: Imago<\/p>\n
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Sun 3 August 2025 20:47, UK <\/p>\n
Leeds United continued preparations for their Premier League return with a draw against Villarreal on Saturday. <\/strong><\/p>\n The Whites went behind after Etta Eyong tapped in from close range, but Joel Piroe found the equaliser<\/a> to continue his brilliant pre-season form. <\/p>\n Daniel Farke\u2019s<\/a> side have enjoyed a productive pre-season, drawing against Manchester United in Stockholm and beating German sides SC Verl and SC Paderborn. <\/p>\n Leeds will travel to Dublin on Saturday (9 August) for a game against AC Milan, in what will be their final test before the Premier League\u2019s opening weekend.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s draw with Villarreal allowed Elland Road to welcome several new signings.<\/p>\n Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lukas Nmecha were all picked from the start by Farke, with Jaka Bijol featuring among the substitutes. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Fans would have also hoped to see new goalkeeper Lucas Perri<\/a> in action, but the Brazilian was ruled out through injury, along with new defender Sebastiaan Bornauw.<\/p>\n Villarreal\u2019s opener did prompt some further discourse surrounding the future of Illan Meslier<\/a>, who is expected to drop to the bench next season.<\/p>\n The Frenchman looked to have allowed Eyong to head into an empty net, but on closer inspection, the 25-year-old had made an impressive save from the initial effort. <\/p>\n Piroe\u2019s leveller was typical of the striker, capitalising on a bouncing ball inside the box to finish, after good work from Brenden Aaronson<\/a> on the right wing. <\/p>\n The American enjoyed a positive afternoon at Elland Road, but did get an earful from Farke, according to Graham Smyth<\/a> (3 August).<\/p>\n The German remonstrated angrily with Aaronson once for taking the ball down instead of passing it, and again for failing to make the run Farke had wanted him to.<\/p>\n Attackers still a must for Leeds<\/strong><\/p>\n Leeds<\/a> are still looking to bring in a couple of new attackers before the transfer window shuts at the start of September. <\/p>\n Brazilian winger Igor Paixao<\/a> had been a serious target, but the Feyenoord man ultimately opted for the Champions League football offered by Marseille.<\/p>\n The Whites have since been linked to Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa<\/a>, but an arrival does not appear imminent. <\/p>\n![\"Leeds](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/daniel-farke-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Leeds have enjoyed a positive pre-season (Credit: Imago)Farke makes feelings known during Villarreal clash<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Leeds in pre-season (2024\/25)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Leeds 0-0 Manchester United<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Verl 1-4 Leeds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Paderborn 2-3 Leeds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Leeds 1-1 Villarreal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Leeds v AC Milan \u2013 TBP 9 August<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n