Premier League
Leeds United 1 (Nmecha 8’)
Aston Villa 2 (Rogers 47’, 75’)
Leeds: Perri (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Longstaff, Aaronson (Piroe 80’), Nmecha (James 71’), Stach (Tanaka 23’) (Calvert-Lewin 71), Okafor (Gnonto 80’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bijol, Justin, Gruev.
Aston Villa: Martínez (GK), Cash, Konsa, McGinn (C) (Barkley 68’), Tielemans (Bogarde 84’), Buendía (Malen 46’), Watkins (Sancho 68’), Digne (Maatsen 46’), Torres, Rogers, Kamara. Subs not used: Bizot (GK), Lindelöf, Guessand, Hemmings.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,819
Referee: Robert Jones
Booked: Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Struijk, Gnonto (Leeds) McGinn (Aston Villa)
Leeds United fell to defeat on home soil at the hands of Aston Villa in the Premier League, despite Lukas Nmecha giving the Whites the lead in the opening stages.
Before the encounter began, Daniel Farke had made one change to the side that faced Nottingham Forest prior to the international break, recalling Pascal Struijk into the starting lineup in place of Jaka Bijol.
Play got underway in front of a packed-out Elland Road with both sides enjoying a fair share of possession as they looked to create the early inroads.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, United took the lead courtesy of Nmecha’s second goal in as many games!
Sean Longstaff’s dangerous delivery from a set-piece was kept alive at the back post by the outstretched Ethan Ampadu and looped into the middle where Anton Stach bravely rose highest and beat Emi Martínez.
The retreating Ezri Konsa hooked the ball off the line but in doing so, fired straight at the well-placed striker who was on hand to bundle home the opener!
Looking for an immediate response, Villa won a free kick on the edge of the Leeds penalty area though Lucas Perri was untroubled as Argentine Emi Buendía blazed over the upright.
A pass through from John McGinn looked to send Ollie Watkins in on goal until a superb recovering challenge from Joe Rodon dispossessed the England international.
Following the early collision in the build up to the hosts breaking the deadlock, Stach, having tried to play on, was unable to continue and was replaced by Ao Tanaka.
Threatening a second, a blistering break by Nmecha resulted in the German crossing for the onrushing Brenden Aaronson at the near post who, with the angle narrowing, could only find the side netting.
Leeds’ pressing was relentless in pursuit of extending the advantage and after winning back possession, full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson marauded deep into the Villans’ territory, crossing low which was cut out moments before the lively Nmecha could pounce.
One very nearly became two when, on the edge of the area, Aaronson drilled a fierce low strike towards the bottom corner, calling Martínez into a superb intervention down to his left.
Watkins went close with a speculative effort from distance that whistled just wide of Perri’s far post before referee Robert Jones brought an action-packed opening period to a close.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Aston Villa
The Whites emerged from the break unchanged but it would be the Midlands outfit who levelled proceedings through Morgan Rogers, flicking substitute Donyell Malen’s delivery into the far corner.
Determined to retake the lead in quick succession, a mazy run from Aaronson saw the American international twist and turn his way to the edge of the Villa box, only to be denied by a timely block by Konsa.
Hearts were then in mouths when, collectively, Struijk and Perri managed to hack away a loose ball before a claret and blue shirt could capitalise following a necessary intervention from the Brazilian to parry a Watkins strike.
The game continued its frantic nature as hefty challenges flew in from both sides and Malen had a brief sight of goal on the turn. Farke then turned to his bench and brought Daniel James and Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the action, adding fresh legs to the attacking line.
Despite those changes, Unai Emery’s team went ahead as Rogers netted a second, placing a well-taken free kick over the wall and into the back of the net.
Elland Road thought the Whites had restored parity within seconds as the substitutes combined to force the ball in. James had raced onto a through ball and darted into the area, crossing for Calvert-Lewin though the striker was adjudged to have used his hand to bundle home.
Final alterations from the dugout came in the form of Wilfried Gnonto and Joël Piroe moments before Leeds went desperately close to equalising when Struijk, attacking an out-swinging Longstaff set-piece, was denied by Martínez.
That proved to be the final opportunity before the full-time whistle sounded. United return to action next weekend with the trip across the Pennines to face Manchester City.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Aston Villa
