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