It was another dire performance from Villa at home until the final few minutes of the encounter, as we looked short of creativity, quality, intensity and urgency throughout the game, as we drifted through the majority of it looking as though we had no answers once more.
The visitors took the lead in the first half and would have been confident of returning home with all three points as we struggled to build any sustained pressure, but fortunately Abraham came off the bench and produced a smart finish to ensure that we secured a share of the spoils.
_**Want more Villa news? Subscribe to Talk Villa+ below for ad-free weekly newsletters, exclusive articles and much more sent directly to you. The TalkVilla podcast is also now available, have a listen, and subscribe on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-villa-podcast/id1833976061) or [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@talkvilla3616). UTV!**_
Our recent performances have undoubtedly been very concerning, as we’ve looked lost and well below our potential since losing John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and particularly Youri Tielemans to injury.
Unai Emery’s changes in the second half made a huge difference, and so after seeing some average displays across the pitch, the Villa boss will surely make significant changes to his starting line-up when we face Wolves away next Friday night.
### Aston Villa player ratings vs Leeds:
**Emiliano Martinez, 6 –** Made a couple of important saves to keep us in the game, and so he deserves credit for the positive work that he produced. Beaten by a fantastic strike, but surely a question mark over whether or not he should be beaten from that distance regardless.
**Matty Cash, 6.5 –** Great to have him back. His athleticism, energy and resilience are key attributes to have to get up and down the right flank, with so many around him struggling to replicate what he offers in that department.
**Ezri Konsa, 6.5 –** Solid defensively and kept his composure throughout on the ball. Decisive in the build-up to our goal as he kept the ball alive for Abraham to apply the finishing touch.
**Tyrone Mings, 6 –** Similarly to Konsa, they were strong defensively and contained Leeds’ threat for the most part. However, in possession, he is far too slow and safe, and so in games at home when we’re trying to unlock stubborn defences who pack central areas, we’ve surely got to start Pau Torres.
**Ian Maatsen, 6.5 –** Injected pace and energy into our play as he pushed forward down the left flank. Couldn’t find an end product, but at least he showed bursts of life to raise the tempo of our play.
**Amadou Onana, 6 –** Decent shift, but he didn’t do enough to really impose himself on the game and give us a foothold on which we could build sustained pressure. Need him to play at a really high level and be a huge influence in midfield.
**Douglas Luiz, 5.5 –** Not doing anywhere near enough. It’s hard for him as it’s impossible to replicate or replace the influence that Youri Tielemans has, but he’s too conservative in his passing, he doesn’t seek out space enough to get on the ball and dictate, and so his limited influence isn’t good enough in such a pivotal role in the team.
**Leon Bailey, 4 –** Terrible afternoon for the Villa winger, and we’ve been here before. Bailey is such a confidence-reliant player, and right now, he’s devoid of any. Couldn’t beat his man, his crosses were often overhit and he had tame efforts on goal. His reaction to coming off summed up his afternoon.
**Emiliano Buendia, 5 –** Tried to make things happen and went close to scoring from range, but again, not enough quality to make a decisive impact on the game.
**Morgan Rogers, 5.5 –** Similar to Buendia but given the high standards he has set, this was a drop off from him that we couldn’t afford as we toiled for a breakthrough. We can’t be so reliant on him to make things happen in the final third, but he’ll know that he needed to offer more in this game.
**Ollie Watkins, 5 –** The service to him was woeful as we couldn’t work it short due to Leeds’ pressing and numbers, while we lofted hopeless long balls forward that he struggled to keep hold of. That said, there is an obvious drop off in his performance level this season, and it would be a surprise to see him start next week.
### Substitutes:
**Jadon Sancho, 6 –** Looked bright after coming on as he made a positive impact on the game and helped us look more of a threat in the latter stages. Must return to the starting XI next Friday night.
**Ross Barkley, 6 –** Another positive substitution as he added some composure, tempo and rhythm to our play in midfield. Should also start next time out as he did more in latter stages than those who started.
**Tammy Abraham, 7 –** Brilliant impact again, as his smart finish rescued a point for us. Had made a strong case to start moving forward as he’s a more effective option in leading the line.
**Andres Garcia, N/A**
**Lamare Bogarde, N/A**