Aston Villa 1 Leeds United 1: Whites boost but heartbreak in late twist after midfielder's stellar impact — YEP 21/2/26

By Lee Sobot

Leeds United took on high-flying Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Leeds United bagged another point in their quest for Premier League survival but in the face of late heartache as Saturday’s clash at highflying hosts Aston Villa ended in a 1-1 draw.

Villa made a bright start at a noisy Villa Park but Leeds created the first two chances of the game, both of them for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Whites no 9 was firstly played in by an Anton Stach header but his touch took him wide and the striker's shot was blocked off for a corner with nine minutes on the clock.

A much better chance presented itself six minutes later as Jayden Bogle's pass sent Calvert-Lewin away but keeper Emi Martinez rushed out to save.

Villa looked to respond but Leeds held firm and continued to create chances, Gudmundsson getting away but seeing his cross cut out.

Leeds, though, were causing the hosts problem and Daniel Farke's side went ahead just after the half hour mark through a stunning long-range free-kick from Anton Stach who shaped up to cross from the left side of the pitch but sent a beautiful shot into the top left corner.

Farke's Whites then pressed for a second, Ilia Gruev wasting a good opportunity by passing when well placed in the box.

Villa were struggling to make an impact but a big block from Joe Rodon was needed to stop a cross from Matty Cash getting through, after which Karl Darlow made a comfortable save to keep out a weak attempt from Leon Bailey.

But Darlow was then forced into making an amazing save just before the interval, the keeper thwarting Amadou Onana at point-blank range to ensure the Whites entered the interval 1-0 up.

Whites boss Daniel Farke made a big change during the break as left back Gudmundsson was taken off and replaced by Jaka Bijol which meant James Justin moving to left wing back.

Villa started the second half by threatening the Leeds goal as Emi Buendia fired a shot wide of the upright.

Leeds, though, were still holding firm, a huge tackle from Ethan Ampadu stopping Tyrone Mings in his tracks as he entered the Whites box.

As the game passed the hour mark, Ollie Watkins lashed a shot well wide from outside the box but a huge block from Stach was then need to keep out an effort from Mings after a Cash pullback into the box.

Villa were gradually turning the screw and the hosts then had the ball in the back of the net as Watkins followed up a Buendia shot that came back off the post but the striker was offside.

But Leeds then squandered a fine chance to put the game to bed, substitute Lukas Nmecha getting on the end of a Bogle cross but seeing his diving header saved.

After being played in by Stach, Calvert-Lewin was then in again but hooked his shot over the bar when looking offside.

Moments later, another attempt squeezed in by Calvert-Lewin was saved by Martinez.

Villa were running out of time, Cash walloping a shot over the bar after the excellent Stach had been substituted for Sean Longstaff with seven minutes left.

But the hosts finally drew level with just two minutes left, Leeds unable to clear a corner to which substitute Tammy Abraham got on the end of to knee the ball home at the far post.