Premier League: Leeds battle for draw against Villa
Leeds United 0 - 0 Aston Villa
A goalless draw at Elland Road was a good one for Leeds United, who spent the entire second half a player down, battling against an Aston Villa side that was looking to take all three points.
The Whites returned to Premier League action after 29 days without a match, following recent postponements and the international break.
When the match kicked off inside a packed out and eagerly awaiting Elland Road, both teams set off on the front foot looking to gain the early advantage, using their respective supporters to their advantage.
However, very little early on in terms of chances were to come, largely due to the stop-start nature of the match and plenty of early fouls between the teams. The first to be booked for one was Ludwig Augustinsson for the visitors, but he would not be the only name in the notepad early on.
Shots on goal did arrive and both number one’s on the day were called into action. Illan Meslier denied Ollie Watkins, before both Brenden Aaronson and Liam Cooper came close, and then Rodrigo was denied by Emiliano Martinez.
Further yellows in the first 45 minutes at Elland Road came, as Luis Sinisterra and Marc Roca went into the book and were swiftly joined thereafter by Rodrigo.
HALF-TIME Leeds 0-0 Aston Villa
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 2, 2022
There's nothing to separate the sides so far in a tense and physical encounter at Elland Road#LEEAVL pic.twitter.com/NyWawqimDC
In a heated but rather forgettable first half in terms of shots on goal and clear-cut chances, the teams went in level at the interval with all still to play for in the second half.
The second half got underway and Leeds were rescued to 10 players almost immediately, as Stuart Attwell produced a second yellow card for Luis Sinisterra meaning a subsequent red.
RED CARD Luis Sinisterra is shown a second yellow card for preventing an Aston Villa free-kick being taken
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 2, 2022
Leeds 0-0 Aston Villa (49 mins)#LEEAVL
Seconds later, the away side almost took the lead. A long ball to the back post found Philippe Coutinho who struck a first-time volley that cannoned back off the inside of the post, before Watkins then turned the rebound wide.
With just over 20 minutes remaining and Villa largely in control of the ball following the dismissal, Leeds made a double change as Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling replaced Kristensen and Rodrigo.
The Whites were having to be alert and offer each other as much defensive cover as possible. When it was broken, Watkins cut in from the wing and shot on goal, with Meslier firmly behind the strike to collect it and clear.
Down the other end, good work between Jack Harrison, Aaronson and Bamford created a chance, with the number nine powering an effort which forced Martinez to make a good save.
Good work from Meslier continued to deny the visitors, as Watkins and Philippe Coutinho went close before down the other a combination of the freshly introduced Bamford and Klich nearly won it for Leeds, but the final whistle sounded and brought an end to the game.
This team keeps on fighting 💪🏼#LEEAVL pic.twitter.com/jkYzuCqdKS
— Pascal Struijk (@StruijkPascal) October 2, 2022
Gerrard reaction. He wasn't too happy
The Villa boss told the club website: “I think large parts of our performance were very good, we came here to frustrate Leeds, we came here to be competitive and stand up, and for large parts of the game we were much better.
“Even 11 v 11 we had the better moments, we should have scored at least one or two goals, and then obviously a big moment with the red card.
“We should be going to take three points from that moment, we’ve created 19 shots on goal and 12 inside the area – so that tells the story of the game."
