Leeds’ promotion challenge goes through the Roofe
LEEDS UNITED 2 Roofe (68), Wood (90) ASTON VILLA 0
KEMAR ROOFE netted his first goal for Leeds as Garry Monk’s side moved up to fourth in the table as they beat Aston Villa at Elland Road.
The 23-year-old, who hit a post during the midweek EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool, went one better here to end his 22-game goal drought since joining the Whites from Oxford for £3million in the summer.
Roofe brought a scrappy game to life by heading home in the 68th minute, before Chris Wood netted his 13th goal of the season at the death to give Leeds a win, their fifth in seven home matches, that underlines their promotion credentials this season.
The defeat for Villa was their first in eight games since former Hull boss Steve Bruce replaced the sacked Roberto Di Matteo in October.
After a slow first 20 minutes, chances started to arrive as Villa top-scorer Jonathan Kodjia fired over from the edge of the box following a poor Kyle Bartley headed clearance.
Referee Peter Bankes was unmoved when Albert Adomah went down under the sliding challenge of goalkeeper Rob Green, who was slow off his line, before Roofe shot into the side netting as Leeds broke.
Pontus Jansson, returning to the side following illness, missed a glorious opportunity in the 29th minute, heading over the bar when unmarked in the area.
The central defender was then forced into action at the other end, preventing Gary Gardner from shooting at goal after another mistake, this time when Souleymane Doukara was robbed in midfield.
Adomah should have broke the deadlock seven minutes after half-time but, after walking through the Leeds defence, the former Middlesbrough winger side-footed wide with just Green to beat.
Green was then forced to parry an Ashley Westwood half-volley as the hosts continued to concede possession.
Villa were made to pay for missed chances when Roofe headed in Doukara’s quality inswinging cross at the near post with 23 minutes remaining to take the roof off a packed Elland Road.
Roofe then had a shot blocked on the edge of the area as Leeds pushed for a second.
Villa, without former Leeds striker Ross McCormack due to injury, lacked the quality in the final third to steal an equaliser.
Pierluigi Gollini denied Wood with a fine save following an excellent cross from Charlie Taylor, who was a constant threat down the left.
The striker, though, then crashed the ball in from close range minutes later after Doukara broke at pace and saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
That goal ensured a maximum haul as Villa went home pointless.