Several members of Jesse Marsch’s first team have spent the past fortnight with their national teams during the final international break ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Due to the unplanned and unforeseen break between club matches, internationals may have been welcomed as a method of maintaining match fitness.
Mateusz Klich is among those who should be training the most in the week leading up to the Villa game.
Poland’s last international match will be on September 25, a full week before their next game in Leeds.
Better yet, Poland’s final game will be played at Cardiff City Stadium in Wales, meaning Klich could be back in West Yorkshire by that evening and start training on Tuesday 27 September.
Denmark international Rasmus Kristensen’s international commitments also come to an end on 25 September, giving him a week to prepare for Villa as well.
Wilfried Gnonto’s schedule with the Italy national team ends on Monday 26 September in Budapest, suggesting a return to training at Thorp Arch on Wednesday should be possible.
The same situation is happening to Illan Meslier, whose international cap with France U21 ends on Monday.
Diego Llorente faces a less relaxed schedule as Spain’s last game of the month takes place in Portugal on Tuesday 27 September, leaving the Spain international just days before the game against Gerrard’s side.
Provided Llorente is given a day off to travel and recover before getting back on track on Thursday 29 September.
A similar scenario awaits USMNT duo Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, whose friendly against Saudi Arabia, also to be played in Spain, takes place on September 27.
Luis Sinisterra’s schedule is the most demanding as the Colombia international takes on Mexico on Wednesday 28 September at 3am BST.
This game comes days after an overland trip from New York City, where the Colombian team is currently based, in Santa Clara, California.
Assuming Sinisterra returns to Britain immediately after the Colombia game, he faces a 10-hour flight, possible jet lag and consequently won’t be back in training until Friday 30 September at the earliest – just two days before the arrival of Villa Elland Road, which casts doubt on his readiness for this particular game.
Leeds faced a similar problem with Raphinha last season when he returned from South America for the trip to Southampton, where he was completely left out of the squad for not training.
Marsch should not find it difficult to name a full-strength eleven against Villa, with Sinisterra the only possible absentee due to his involvement in the international break.
