Leon Bailey’s superb strike separated the teams at the break, but Leeds finished the half coming out on top, as they responded well after going behind. Leeds produced more shots and chances than Villa and a goal which was chalked off for offside.
The Whites were unlucky not to get anything out of the match as their hard work was put out of sight after Emiliano Buendia was given a tap-in after Bailey's strike on goal.
Patrick Bamford marked his return to the Premier League after his recent injury, as Wilfred Gnonto used his strength and composure to put it on a plate for the striker.
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Story of the match
Unai Emery made several changes in the game against Stevenage in the 3rd round of the FA Cup but reverted back to the side that drew with Wolverhampton, with Matty Cash making way for Jacob Ramsey due to injury. Emery featured new fullback Alex Moreno on the bench, with Leander Dendoncker out due to suspension.
Jesse Marsch also made radical changes in the 3rd round of the FA cup resulting in his team drawing with Championship side Cardiff. Marsch kept the team the same from their previous Premier League match, with only Jack Harrison coming in for an injured Crysencio Summerville. The Leeds bench featured Patrick Bamford who returned from his injury setback.
Villa started the match with a superb counterattack paired with an excellent finish from Leon Bailey who put them ahead from the 3rd minute. Boubacar Kamara cut inside and set up Bailey who surpasses his fastest goal after scoring against Manchester United in the 7th minute at the start of November.
After their thunderous start, Villa was forced to introduce their new signing, Moreno, after Lucas Digne was substituted for a shoulder injury after ten minutes.
Gnonto was toppled over by Ezri Konsa inside the box after a smart set piece from Brenden Aaronson in the 22nd minute. Countless shouts were made by the Leeds players who saw more to the challenge than there was, with referee Michael Oliver waving their shouts away.
Villa add another injury setback to the list as Ollie Watkins came off for Danny Ings in the 32nd minute after a previous knock from Robin Koch forced Watkins straight down the tunnel. Koch picked up the first booking of the game, as he put too much on Jacob Ramsey who was easily getting past him.
Moreno got stuck in and produced an excellent goal-stopping clearance from Rodrigo, who rounded Emiliano Martinez easily which came from a quick free kick from their own half.
A world-class save from the World Cup winner as the keeper denied Leeds a well-earned chance in the 45th minute, cushioning Jack Harrison's attempt after a cross from Marc Roca.
Leeds found the back of the net in the first added minute of extra time from Gnonto curling a cross to Rodrigo who finishes as Aaronson’s attempt was blocked but was unlucky as it was called offside.
Tempers boiled as Liam Cooper and Buendia produced handbags, with their teammates coming in to pull each other away. The referee gave them a talking-to, with nothing coming of it just before the end of the first half.
Aaronson’s shot at the start of the second half went well over the bar after Mings was dispossessed on the halfway line, which allowed Leeds to break, as they gained another chance at the start of the second half.
Moreno made a lovely run and his first touch was enough to flick the ball over Roca and was allowed to poke the ball at Illan Meslier but it wasn't powerful enough to test the Frenchman.
Kamara was shown his third yellow card of the season for Villa as he was timewasting on a freekick. Villa added to the offside goal tally as Buendia capitalised after Bailey’s effort was saved by Meslier and as the decision went to VAR, Pascal Struijk was shown to be playing Buendia onside.
Leeds were unlucky to go down to two goals, as they had been chipping away at the Villa defence for fifty minutes, but did not take advantage of their chances.
Marsch introduced a double substitution in the 66th minute, taking off unlucky Struijk and Harrison. Bamford made his return from injury and Maximilian Wober was handed his Premier League debut.
Gnonto displayed more glimmers of his potential, taking on and beating three Villa defenders on his own, using fancy footwork, and his shot was hit just past the near post in the 75th minute.
Marsch utilised another double substitution in the 77th minute, with Aaronson making way for Joe Geldhart and Roca coming off for Sam Greenwood.
Emery made two more substitutions, bringing on Phillipe Countinho for goalscorer Buendia, and Morgan Sanson for Ramsey.
Leeds gained one goal back after Gnonto’s strength and composure made it easy to put it on a plate for Bamford to mark his return after injury, scoring his first goal in the Premier League this season.
However, the Whites crumbled after scoring, making questionable passes and allowing Villa to get chances on goal. Meslier saw yellow after coming far out of his box to clear the ball but ended up on top of Countinho. The Villa keeper also was given a card for time-wasting, after a couple of warnings from the referee.
Moreno was handed his first Premier League start and gave an impressive performance. The Spaniard contributed a goal-line clearance and plenty of attacking opportunities and should hopefully see more game time as Digne could be out for a lengthy spell. Villa winning here maintains their position in the league and they now match struggling Chelsea on equal points.
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Player of the match - Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey gave Villa the perfect start after three minutes and helps them get back on a good run of form. Bailey was a constant figure in the match, prodding the Leeds defence and providing positive and direct play, which Villa have desperately needed.
