Villa flying high under Emery as Bailey punishes kamikaze Leeds
It’s redemption for Leon after Wolves miss
BARELY a week ago Leon Bailey was crying his eyes out on the Villa Park turf after a miss that cost his team victory but here he was all smiles after inspiring Unai Emery’s side to a fourth league win in six.
Bailey’s stoppage-time shocker — he shot wide of an open goal at the Holte End — in the 1-1 draw with Wolves left him distraught. Yet he took a far more difficult chance here to give Villa an early lead and, after Leeds had wasted numerous chances, Bailey’s blocked shot was headed home by Emiliano Buendia for a VAR-aided second, midway through the second half.
No wonder Emery pumped his fists and screamed in celebration. His side had been under the cosh for much of the game but Leeds could not make their clever approach work count, and these are worrying times for Jesse Marsch’s team, with some away fans chanting ‘Marsch out’ in the closing stages.
Substitute Patrick Bamford pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish but Villa held on and Leeds, who remain only two points above the drop zone, have just two wins from 17 in all competitions.
Bailey ended Villa’s last league game here in tears after that astonishing miss, then had a bad time in the shock home defeat by League Two club Stevenage. Yet Emery kept faith with the Jamaican, and he was repaid within three minutes.
After Leeds failed to take advantage of a corner, Ashley Young found Boubacar Kamara with an excellent pass from defence. Kamara carried the ball into Leeds territory before slipping the ball right to Bailey, who produced a superb curling finish from just inside the box.
Left back Alex Moreno was on for his Villa debut just 10 minutes into the game when Lucas Digne appeared to injure his shoulder. Despite the early blow, Leeds were the more fluent side and Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was nearly embarrassed by Rodrigo when he dawdled on a back pass.
Jack Harrison then escaped down the right and found Rodrigo, who took a second too long over his shot, allowing Douglas Luiz to rescue his team. Then Leeds screamed in vain for a penalty when Rodrigo and Luiz tangled.
Villa were still a threat on the break, however, and following another accurate pass from Young, Bailey should have found Ollie Watkins from an ideal position but the winger overhit his cross.
Ezri Konsa made a vital interception after Willy Gnonto had combined well with Brenden Aaronson on the Leeds left, and moments later debutant Moreno kept his team ahead with a goalline clearance.
Rodrigo had charged on to Harrison’s pass and rounded Martinez but Moreno raced back brilliantly to stop the shot going in.
Martinez then made a stunning save to stop Harrison turning in Luke Ayling’s cross from inside the six-yard box, though the winger really should have scored.
Rodrigo had the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time but was correctly ruled offside, and referee Michael Oliver had to separate Buendia and Liam Cooper after the Leeds skipper had wrestled his opponent to the ground.
Leeds continued to push after the break as Rodrigo robbed Tyrone Mings and tore at the back line, setting up a chance for Harrison who again took too much time over his finish. It had been the story of Leeds’ performance: impressive build-up diluted by a lack of ruthlessness.
Villa’s tactic of inviting Leeds towards them seemed risky and just five minutes after the restart, Leeds boss Marsch was furious as Ezri Konsa took an age over a freekick. The home side reminded Leeds of their attacking ability, though, when Jacob Ramsey provided Moreno with the chance for a debut goal. His shot was too weak and then at the other end, Martinez flew to his left to turn away Gnonto’s angled effort.
The game was opening up now and after Bailey had weaved past Pascal Struijk, Luiz fired just over the top when he ought to have hit the target.
Marsch was becoming increasingly irritated by Villa’s delaying tactics and Kamara was eventually booked for timewasting just after an hour.
He need not have worried. Illan Meslier made a mess of Bailey’s drive and even though Buendia was deemed offside when he headed in the loose ball, VAR overturned the call. Leeds were losing a little heart by now and both
Moreno and ings squandered good opportunities.
They finally found a goal when Bamford, who had been brought on soon after Villa’s second, was on hand to score from close range after an outstanding display of pace and vision from gnonto on the left. But it was too little, too late.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Martinez 7.5; A Young 7, Konsa 8, Mings 6.5, Digne 6 (Moreno 10min, 7); Ramsey 6.5 (Sanson 81), Kamara 8, Luiz 7, Buendia 6 (Coutinho 81); BAILEY 8.5, Watkins 6 (Ings 32, 6).
Scorers: Bailey 3, Buendia 64. Booked: Kamara, Martinez.
Manager: Unai Emery 6.5.
LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Meslier 6; Ayling 6, Koch 5.5, Cooper 6, Struijk 5 (Wober 66, 6); Roca 7 (Greenwood 77), Adams 7; Aaronson 7 (Gelhardt 77), Gnonto 7.5, Harrison 6.5 (Bamford 67, 6.5); Rodrigo 6.5. Scorer: Bamford 83.
Booked: Koch, Meslier.
Manager: Jesse Marsch 6.
Referee: Michael Oliver 6. Attendance: 42,008.