Aston Villa v Leeds United Match Report

Aston Villa 1 v Leeds United 1

All square at Villa Park as Leeds draw for the 10th time this season against Aston Villa.

Leeds dominated periods of the first half and deservedly took the lead on 31 minutes. Midfielder Anton Stach, returning from a hip injury, unleashed a thunderous free-kick from around 35 yards that flew past Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The spectacular strike is definitely a goal-of-the-season contender.

Villa pushed for an equalizer, with Karl Darlow in the Leeds goal making several key saves to preserve the lead into halftime. An Ollie Watkins goal was ruled out for offside, adding to home frustration. Emiliano Martínez denied Lukas Nmecha later to keep Villa in contention.

Second Half

Unai Emery's side ramped up the pressure in the second half, introducing substitutes including Tammy Abraham. The breakthrough came in the 88th minute: Jadon Sancho, also on as a sub, delivered a corner, Ezri Konsa headed it back across goal, and Abraham converted from close range. It was a dramatic late point for the hosts, who remain unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Leeds. Both teams settled for a share of the spoils, with Villa moving to 51 points (15 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses) after 27 matches, while Leeds earned a valuable away point.

Line ups

Aston Villa

Martínez (GK); Cash (García 87'), Konsa (C), Mings, Maatsen; Onana (Barkley 61'), Luiz (Bogarde 87'); Bailey (Sancho 61'), Rogers, Buendía (Abraham 75'); Watkins.
Subs not used: Wright (GK), Lindelöf, Digne, Torres.

Leeds United

Karl Darlow (GK); Bogle, Gudmundsson (Bijol 46'), Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Justin; Gruev, Stach (Longstaff 83'), Aaronson (Nmecha 73'); Calvert-Lewin.
Subs not used: Perri (GK), James, Piroe, Tanaka, Bornauw, Gnonto.