Leeds United ought to be proud of their display at Aston Villa even if a nagging habit reared its head once again
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 22 Feb 2026
Leeds United's Anton Stach celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park
View Image
Leeds United's Anton Stach celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park
Leeds United will have felt sore in the dressing room after full-time at Villa Park, but this morning the feeling may be slightly different.
Daniel Farke was in a positive mood in his press conference - a 1-1 draw against an Aston Villa side currently sitting in the top three is a good result, make no mistake. That is three away Premier League games without a defeat and only one in their last seven.
At the start of the season, Leeds were not getting these points with some poor away displays. Now they are walking off the pitch disappointed having not claimed a win.
Of course, it is true that United have yet to claim three points away in the Premier League since mid-September but draws against Liverpool and Chelsea - as well as an in-form Sunderland - breathe more context into the picture.
Farke says he would like more wins on the road but is staying “humble” given Leeds are newly-promoted. West Ham United’s draw at home to Bournemouth keeps them six points behind Leeds with one less game to go.
Late concessions
Leeds have conceded some significant late goals this season. Among those that stick out include the away defeat to Fulham, the home draw with Bournemouth and the heartbreaking loss at Newcastle United.
Aston Villa away can now be added to the list. Leeds also now have a new unwanted feat of being the Premier League team to concede the most goals in the final 15 minutes of a game (14).
Farke says Leeds would probably be fighting for Europe without the late concession of goals but highlighted that his side have scored late themselves too this season.
He did admit that the late equaliser goal was “avoidable” and that Leeds “switched off”. It’s not the first time we’ve heard those phrases this season. Conceding so late has become a habit Leeds need to kick.
Stach’s set-pieces
What a goal from the German, arguably the best of the season. Certainly the furthest out, some 40 yards and perhaps more. It looked like it took a moment or two for him to register that the ball had indeed gone in, before doing a knee slide in the middle of the pitch.
He didn’t have to travel far, given the long distance to goal. That is Stach’s third free-kick of the season but maybe his thunderbolt yesterday will be his best of them. It flew in, with Emi Martinez beaten all ends up. Stach's corners, while not perfect, were not bad either and his other free-kicks were OK.
There was worry at the start of the season about United lacking a set-piece taker - they had gone throughout all of last season without scoring a direct free kick. This season already they’ve had three and all from the same man.
A moment of reflection
Leeds were still operating with a back four upon November’s 2-1 defeat at Elland Road, where boos rang out at full time after some fans had chanted for Farke to ‘make a sub’ midway through the second half. The away end at Villa Park was in loud voice with more hearty chants this time around.
Comparing between the two games, Leeds looked far more fluid and threatening, particularly over the top on the angle with Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson productive in this regard in the first half. Ethan Ampadu controlled the midfield for the most part with Stach also being the perfect compliment.
Leeds were much more resilient overall too, up until that late equaliser. Also, Farke was more willing to be adaptable in-game than four months ago, going from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 when he brought Lukas Nmecha on.
Article continues below
Farke appeared to be on the brink after playing Villa at home but now has restored the faith in many supporters following that game-changing formation switch a match later against Manchester City - United's next opponents.