Leeds United’s fans have had their say on the weekend’s draw at Aston Villa.
Leeds United took another point in their quest for Premier League survival amid a sucker punch at Aston Villa - but what the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on Saturday’s 1-1 draw including praise for boss Daniel Farke and a Whites ‘wildcard’ but what the team was missing at Villa Park.
NEIL GREWER
Another well-fought and deserved point on the road for Leeds, which could have been three had Lady Luck not moved on after being 12th man in the last two fixtures.
Villa equalised in the 88th minute when Tammy Abraham ‘thighed’ the ball over DCL (defending on the goal line) following a corner.
Probably a fair result but a frustrating way and time to concede. Leeds had taken the lead after the half hour when Anton Stach bemused Emi Martinez in the Villa goal with an outstanding free kick from distance – a goal-of-the-season contender.
Once again Daniel Farke had his team selection and tactics working well and, late on, he introduced Lukas Nmecha to form a two up top with DCL, a move which nearly reaped instant rewards when Nmecha brought a good save front Martinez.
This leaves Leeds on 31 points – maybe still 10 from safety this season – but, if they continue to take points on the road in addition to winning three of five winnable home games, the ‘holy grail’ of Premier League survival will be achieved.
Man of the match: Anton Stach.
“A true wildcard player capable of something special”
ANDY RHODES
When you travel to Aston Villa, you know you’re set to have a tough afternoon.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have been beaten there this season, and many other sides have been as well. Leeds, though, are still proving tough to beat, even for the most accomplished sides.
As a team battling to avoid relegation, some may expect Leeds to crumble at certain grounds but the Whites looked threatening all afternoon; they were just missing an elusive second goal.
In Anton Stach, Leeds have a true wildcard player capable of something special. His free kick caught even his own team-mates by surprise as it curled into the top corner.
Leeds then had chances to double their lead but, as has been the case in previous games this season, they couldn’t find a second and were made to pay.
Daniel Farke’s side is still playing good football and West Ham didn’t gain a point on Leeds at the weekend, but it would be good to see some of these draws, no matter how impressive on paper, turn into wins.
Man of the match: Anton Stach.
“I’ve lost count of the number of times”
DAVID WATKINS
Another great point on the road – how many times have we celebrated one of those since Christmas?
But still disappointing that we couldn’t hold out for a few minutes to get all three.
I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve conceded at the death to give up points and you have to say, once again, we didn’t manage the game very well towards the end. Too often we gave up possession cheaply thus offering Villa opportunities to get the ball into our area.
Still, we’d have all taken the point had it been offered on a plate before kick off, and the performance was terrific, particularly in the first half which we shaded.
We could have been further ahead but for a heavy touch by Dominic Calvert-Lewin when through one on one with Martinez and but for an inch or two with that shot by Ilia Gruev that grazed the angle.
As it was, we led at the break with a stunning Anton Stach free kick and Villa only managed a weak Ollie Watkins shot and a close-range effort by Onana that was saved brilliantly by Karl Darlow.
In the second half, Villa got control of the game but it was only a lucky break when a header found Tammy Abraham’s knee that spoiled the afternoon.
Man of the match: Karl Darlow (for that magnificent save).
“We’d already be looking at a mid-table finish”
KEITH INGHAM
Another two points dropped in the final minutes but you have to be happy that they have played Brentford, Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa and taken a point from them all. And Leeds stay six points ahead of West Ham.
Leeds had an early chance for DCL but Martinez blocked. Anton Stach scored one of the best free kicks in living memory from over 30 yards to give Leeds a surprise lead at third-placed Villa just after the half-hour mark. Brenden Aaronson also had an effort just wide, while Karl Darlow came to Leeds’ rescue with a smart save in injury time.
The second half brought on Jaka Bijol for the ill Gabriel Gudmundsson. Villa had a goal ruled out for offside when Ollie Watkins netted after the ball came back off a post. Leeds should have put the game to bed but sub’ Lukas Nmecha’s diving header was saved. Replays showed it was a harder chance than it looked ‘live’.
Leeds defended well until sub’ Tammy Abraham’s knee sent the ball in with 90 seconds left.
If Leeds had won just two of the games where they conceded late on we’d already be looking at a mid-table finish but, as it is, that’s 14 games since the City defeat with only two defeats. And City next week; can’t wait!
Man of the match: Anton Stach (superb goal and impressive throughout).
“Our unfancied side was seen as relegation fodder”
The Whites added another precious away point with a fine defensive display against high-flying Aston Villa.
Anton Stach's spectacular goal from a free kick stunned the sell-out crowd but sent the Leeds fans into raptures.
There were even a few boos from Villa fans before January signing Tammy Abraham equalised with his knee in a goalmouth scramble with only a few minutes left. Before this, United had defended resolutely with standout performances from Karl Darlow, Ehan Ampadu and Joe Rodon.
But it was not all Villa because, throughout the match, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a constant threat and substitute Lucas Nmecha went close with a diving header which would surely have finished off the home side.
The cynics will keep reminding us that United concede too many late goals but they fail to point out that our unfancied side was seen as relegation fodder at the start of the season.
The Whites have shown that they can compete with the top sides in the best league in the world and, although they are not safe yet, few people would bet against their survival. To aspire to win at home and draw away is still a good principle.
Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu.
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