LIAM COOPER: WE WERE THE BETTER TEAM FOR LONG DURATIONS

Skipper on Villa draw.

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper spoke to the press following Friday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Elland Road.

Pontus Jansson opened the scoring in the first half, but his effort was cancelled out by Henri Lansbury after the break.

Cooper felt the Whites deserved to come away with more, but is pleased with United’s form, having lost just once in four matches.

“There is a sense of deflation, I thought we were the better team for long durations of the game,” said Cooper.

“There are always going to be times in games when teams do get on top, but I thought we handled that. 

“I thought the goal was a bit lucky on their behalf, Pontus made a good tackle in the middle of the park and it fell to their lad and went in off the post.

“We are causing problems and look a real threat from set pieces now, I think I am due a goal now as well, I had one disallowed by inches I am told.

“The analysts have had a look back and confirmed I was just offside, sometimes you get that bit of luck, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“In the end, a point is a decent point, against a good Aston Villa side.

“Two or three weeks ago we may have lost that game and we have definitely come a long way, we have picked up seven points from the last 12, it is good form and we have to keep that going now.

“We know if we are on it and compete to the best of our ability that we can beat anybody in this league.

“It is about being on it from the first minute of every game, you can’t afford not to be in the Championship because you can get found out.

“In the last few games it has really clicked in people’s minds, we are starting games with a real tempo and that is bringing success for us.”