REPORT: Leeds 1-1 Villa

Aston Villa were allowed to walk the ball into an empty net after a controversial Leeds United opener. The two promotion hopefuls played out an eventful 1-1 draw at Elland Road.

In a bizarre second half to a potential playoff encounter, Anwar El Ghazi received a red card as he was adjudged to have struck Patrick Bamford in the face. It came amongst a melee after Leeds scored a dubious goal.

Chaos ensued in the 73rd minute as they scored while Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia was down injured. His team-mates had stopped while asking their opponents to put the ball out of play, but Tyler Roberts and Mateusz Klich carried on.

With Villa’s players enraged, multiple players were booked. Although El Ghazi’s dismal looks certain to be overturned ahead of the playoff campaign, as Bamford’s theatrics bought a red card.

Albert Adomah was then given the freedom of Elland Road to equal the score, as Marcelo Bielsa ensured sportsmanship eventually prevailed. Despite Pontus Jansson’s best efforts to prevent it.

Unbeaten in 12

Mings and Tuanzebe were solid against LeedsThe away side came into this one having won ten consecutive games, but are now unbeaten in twelve. Dean Smith made two alterations in the starting 11, with Axel Tuanzebe and Andre Green coming into the fold.

Jack Grealish was a targeted man throughout the first half, and came under heavy challenges including a poor tackle from Liam Cooper, with excessive force. Though, John McGinn was the midfielder who eventually picked up a yellow card. Smith confirmed that he will rest him before the play off’s as he sits on 14 bookings this season.

Villa held onto a point for 20 minutes, as the colossal Tyrone Mings and classy Tuanzebe martialed the oncoming threat from Leeds’s potent attack.

Ahead of the final weekend of the season, Villa will entertain already promoted Norwich City, before inevitably facing West Brom in the play-off semi-finals.

Related

10 comments

  1. Well written and a fair assessment. One factual point though – Villa have now gone 12 games without defeat. One draw (Stoke) ten wins and a further draw (Leeds).

Leave a Reply to All eyes on playoffs - AVFC - Aston Villa Fansite, Blog, & Forum.. Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest posts

Google search engine

Categories