Leeds United player ratings vs Villarreal as Aaronson and Stach impress but Schmidt struggles — Leeds Live 2/8/25

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Leeds United continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal

Joel Piroe scored as Leeds United came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Villarreal at Elland Road on Saturday. Etta Eyong put the La Liga side in front before Piroe levelled for the Whites midway through the second half.

Looking to extend their unbeaten start to pre-season, the Whites made a bright start and almost opened the scoring within three minutes. Sean Longstaff threaded through an inch-perfect pass to Lukas Nmecha, who ran through on goal and got a shot off, but his effort was straight at Villarreal 'keeper Luiz Junior.

Leeds continued to probe and got the home faithful off their seat with a couple of further opportunities. Wilfried Gnonto saw an effort blocked after spinning inside the box, before Nmecha had another chance as he created half a yard of space and got a snapshot away but Junior palmed the ball behind for a corner.

In the meantime, however, Villarreal looked a threat in behind and on the break. They almost scored themselves when Junior's long pass found Yeremo Pino who broke clear but Karl Darlow produced a fine save to stop him.

Pino then came so close to finding the net just before half time as he met a cross from the right but Darlow tipped his header over the crossbar, as the scoreline remained level going into the break.

The second half began nip and tuck, but it was Villarreal who managed to get the breakthrough. Marcelino Garcia Toral's side took the lead in the 62nd minute as Eyong headed home from close range after Illan Meslier had made a fine save to keep out Pino's initial header.

But Leeds responded well to going behind and equalised within five minutes of Villarreal's opener. Brenden Aaronson crossed from the right and the ball fell to Piroe, who prodded home from less than six yards.

Leeds pushed to find a winner but Villarreal, who had opportunities at the other end, stood strong as the game ended level. The Whites have now won two and drawn two so far in pre-season, with next Saturday's game against AC Milan their final friendly before the start of the new Premier League season.

Here are the player ratings from Elland Road:

Karl Darlow

Started off a little nervy but then produced a couple of nice saves to prevent Villarreal from going ahead. The first was with his feet as Pino attempt to strike the ball through his legs, before he denied the Spaniard for a second time, tipping his header over the crossbar. Replaced by Illan Meslier at half-time. 7.

Isaac Schmidt

Made a positive start and kept offering for the ball, but he started to give the ball away and looked a little sloppy. Also got caught napping a couple of times as Pino caused Leeds problems on the left. 5.

Joe Rodon

Caught out when Pino got in during the first half but overall it was a solid performance from the Leeds centre-back. Needs to improve on the ball but didn't do much wrong. 6.

Pascal Struijk

Solid enough at the back and looked comfortable on the ball. Made a couple of important challenges and didn't do much wrong before he was substituted at half-time. He'll be an important asset this season. 6.

Gabriel Gudmundsson

Got stuck in and impressed on his first appearance in front of the Leeds home fans. Going to be a useful addition on the left and got forward whenever he could. An encouraging performance. 6.

Sean Longstaff

Mixed start as he gave the ball away a couple of times but then played an excellent pass through the eye of a needle to Nmecha. Plenty of positives to build on for the ex-Newcastle United man, though. 6.

Ethan Ampadu

Used in his more natural No.6 position, Ampadu broke up the play and made some crucial interceptions. Controlled the game in the middle and could be important for Leeds this season. 6.

Anton Stach

Making his first appearance in front of fans since his move from Hoffenheim last month, Stach looked brilliant. A real powerhouse in midfield, he won the ball back a couple of times and went close from a free-kick. 7.

Wilfried Gnonto

Struggled to get into the game and didn't have much service on the left. Worked hard and won a couple of free-kicks but it was a quiet afternoon for the Italian. 6.

Lukas Nmecha

Looked sharp but must be more clinical in the final third. Needed to do better with his first chance as it was straight down the throat of the goalkeeper, while he was a little unfortunate with his second opening. 6.

Brenden Aaronson

Leeds' brightest spark throughout most of the game. A real work horse, Aaronson started off the right and that position looked to suit him. He helped support Schmidt and then carried a threat in attack. Created Leeds' leveller as his cross led to Piroe slamming home from close range. 8.

Subs

Illan Meslier

Came on at half-time for Darlow and made an important save less than 10 minutes after he was introduced. Couldn't do much about Villarreal's opener having made a good stop to keep out the initial strike. 6.

Alex Cairns - N/A

Joel Piroe

Had a quiet game up until netting Leeds' equaliser but that's what great goalscorers do. Was there at the right place at the right time to slot home from close range midway through the second half. 7.

Jaka Bijol

Made an excellent tackle less than five minutes after coming on and looked solid at the back. No doubt that he's going to be a terrific addition this season. 6.

Largie Ramazani

Played a couple of neat passes and drove at his full-back but didn't cause too many issues for the Villarreal defence. Might struggle for regular game time in the Premier League this season. 5.

Ao Tanaka

Impressed when he came on and looked assured in the middle of the park. While Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu started well, Tanaka will be pushing to get into the XI against Everton. 6.

Sam Byram

Did well but didn't have much to do when he came on for Schmidt. Dependable. 6.

Ilia Gruev

Assured in the middle of the park but might struggle to get into that midfield three this season. 6.

Harry Gray

Bright from the right, but the 16-year-old didn't have much of the ball when he came on. No doubt a proud day for the teenager though. 5.

Rhys Chadwick - N/A

Charlie Crew - N/A

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