KAMIKAZE LEEDS ARE PUNISHED BY BAILEY
BARELY a week 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 last night 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.
They remain two points above the drop zone and have just two wins from 17 in all competitions.
Alex Moreno came on as an early substitute for his Villa debut after joining from Real Betis and made a goal-line clearance when his side were only one ahead.
Emery’s faith in Bailey 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. 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. ollie watkins became the second Villa player to withdraw through injury in the first half, as Danny Ings — scorer of the equaliser against wolves last week — replaced him.
Moreno kept his team ahead with a goal-line clearance. Rodrigo had raced on to Harrison’s pass and rounded Martinez but Moreno raced back brilliantly to stop the shot going in.
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 at the start of the second half but the home side remained a threat and Moreno and Luiz both went close for Emery’s side.
Rodrigo might have done better, too, than drag an effort into the side netting following a clever free-kick.
Marsch (pictured) was becoming increasingly irritated by Villa’s delaying tactics and his mood failed to improve when Illan Meslier made a mess of Bailey’s drive. Even though Buendia was given 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.
Bamford had been brought on soon after the second goal and was on hand to score from close range after an outstanding display of pace and vision from Gnonto on the left. That set up a tense finish but Villa held on.