Leeds United produced one of their grittier displays of the season, battling to a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in the Midlands to move seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
It was a disciplined, hard-working performance from the Whites, who stood up to a Villa side chasing Champions League qualification and more than matched them for long spells. The point felt important, not only because of the gap it creates to the bottom three, but because of the growing sense that Leeds have the resilience to pull clear of danger.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Anton Stach gave them the lead just after the half-hour mark with a brilliantly struck free-kick at Villa Park, and for a long time it looked as though Leeds were on course for a memorable away win. However, Tammy Abraham struck late on to rescue a point for the hosts.
Even so, this was another encouraging showing. Leeds are not just scrapping for survival, they are beginning to look like a side that belongs at this level and one that could well finish the season feeling comfortable rather than concerned.
Leeds star Anton Stach has astonished Jermain Defoe
While Leeds will feel disappointed that they didn’t hold on to the win, Stach’s first-half striker will continue to garner headlines in the coming days.
No one really expected the German midfielder to take a shot from that range. However, he was clever enough to spot that the Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez was out of position and too advantage.
Defoe insisted that not only is it one of the best free-kicks of the season, but probably one of the best of the Premier League era.
The former Tottenham striker stressed that it was astonishing that Stach generated such power and loop from that distance to beat a World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
Defoe said on Premier League productions,”It’s definitely up there [as one of the greatest free-kicks in Premier League history].
“If he were to score from there, it had to get into the top corner.
“To generate that sort of power, it was an unbelievable free-kick.
“It’s one of the best this season.”
Leeds are gradually moving towards safety
Stach’s goal deserved all three points, and had Leeds held on, they probably would have guaranteed Premier League safety this season.
However, on hindsight, a point against a Champions League-chasing Aston Villa away from home is a great result for a team looking to survive.
It was another gritty performance that outlined Leeds’ credentials for Premier League safety and why they are not looked at as a team who could go down.
Leed can only take more positives from the performance and very few would not be betting against them in the race to survive this season.