Sky Bet Championship

Aston Villa 1 (Grabban 29) Leeds United 0

Lewis Grabban’s first half header gave promotion chasing Aston Villa all three points at Villa Park.

The home side had the first chance of the game inside a minute, the ball fell to Grabban in the Leeds box, but he could only fire off target.

Leeds had their first attempt on goal moments later, Ezgjan Alioski was given room to run down the right and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, which Sam Johnstone palmed over the crossbar.

Former Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass was next to go close, he fired a curling effort from 20 yards, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a great save to deny him.

Pablo Hernandez then tried his luck from the edge of the box when a Kemar Roofe cross fell into his path, but his effort deflected safely into the arms of Johnstone.

Jack Grealish went close when he shot from the edge of the box, but his attempt deflected just off target.

The home side took the lead just before the 30 minute mark, when Grabban headed home a Grealish cross into the far corner of the net.

Grealish then fired an effort at goal from distance, forcing Peacock-Farrell into a good stop.

Half Time: Aston Villa 1-0 Leeds United

Samuel Saiz replaced Ekuban at the break and Leeds started brightly, following a set-piece, Kalvin Phillips saw an effort cleared at the last by Glenn Whelan.

The Whites again went close from a corner, Alioski delivered low and Tom Pearce flicked it on at the near post, but his attempt went just over the crossbar.

Vieira was inches away from pulling Leeds level, the ball was played to him on the edge of the box at a corner and he fired at goal, but his effort went just over the bar.

At the other end Kodjia latched onto a through ball, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell did well to flick it away, before denying a second attempt from Grabban.

Grealish then fired an effort from the edge of the Leeds box, but he couldn’t keep it down.

Grealish then turned provider, when he played subsititute Albert Adomah into the Leeds box with a lovely through ball, but Peacock-Farrell made a fine save.

Snodgrass then played Scott Hogan through on goal with a delightful pass on the turn, but Matthew Pennington made a superb challenge to prevent him from getting a shot away.

The home side then saw out the final ten minutes, to secure the victory.

Full Time: Aston Villa 1-0 Leeds United

Villa: Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Jedinak, Taylor, Snodgrass, Whelan, Onomah (Samba 85), Grealish, Grabban (Hogan 78), Kodjia (Adomah 66).  Subs not used: Bunn, Bree, Samba, Lansbury, Hourihane.

Leeds: Peacock-Farrell, Pearce, Pennington, O’Connor, Dallas, Vieira, Phillips, Hernandez, Roofe (Lasogga 78), Alioski (Grot 66), Ekuban (Saiz 45).  Subs not used: Lonergan, Anita, Struijk, O’Kane.

Referee: T. Harrington

Venue: Villa Park

Attendance: 33,374