Leeds United menace reminder, Nmecha's mascot example, Martinez shirt claimed and off-camera Villa moments — YEP 22/2/26

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By Graham Smyth

The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Leeds United fell just short of a famous away day victory in Birmingham but drawing with Aston Villa is no mean feat.

There are far more winnable games on the horizon for the Whites, so taking a point away from Villa Park can be seen as a bonus. The problem is that until the 88th minute, Leeds were taking all three points home with them. Here's the YEP take.

Good day

Anton Stach

Welcome back, Stach. As reminders go, this told everyone in no uncertain terms just how important the German has come to Leeds in the Premier League. He was everywhere. A menace. And that goal was a beauty. Goal of the Season for Leeds, perhaps.

Ethan Ampadu

He might not have had it all his own way after Ross Barkley came on but the skipper's performance was superb. Prior to the latter stages he was the dominant force in the game.

Karl Darlow

Exactly what Leeds needed against a team who can score from even half chances. Solid, strong when crosses came in and the double save prior to the break was fantastic.

Bad day

Gabriel Gudmundsson

The left-back wasn't well so he gets credit for even turning up to start the game but it was obvious he wasn't quite right. Had to come off at the break and will hopefully get some time in bed before gearing up to face Manchester City.

Leon Bailey

His own fans were screaming at Unai Emery for the winger to be taken off and his substitution was greeted with cheers. James Justin and co got the better of him and the difference in Villa once Jadon Sancho came on was remarkable.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Chances came and went. It just wasn't his day. His first touch let him down because on another day, with a better touch, he probably scores two goals and takes the game away from Villa.

Off-camera

Leeds United kit men facing a grilling from Aston Villa staff for dining in the media lounge with no accreditation, despite being decked head to toe in club gear with their initials printed on. The situation was debated long and hard by Villa staff for a good hour or so afterwards. A full investigation, all because the kit men got full stomachs from the delicious press lounge food. It was excellent fare, to be fair.

Sean Longstaff playfully shaping to block Lucas Perri from crossing the ball to Karl Darlow as the substitutes' rondo and the goalkeepers' warm up briefly got in each others' way

Sebastiaan Bornauw picking on those smaller than himself and kicking a ball against Daniel James entirely unprovoked.

Alex Cairns striking a ball beautifully and applauding as Darlow managed to get in front of it and keep it out.

The Leeds mascot giving the substitutes' ball back to a beaming Joel Piroe.

Lukas Nmecha showing Premier League clubs how it should be done, grinning and fist bumping a Villa mascot as he walked down the tunnel.

Matty Cash trying to whip the home crowd up after winning a duel with Brenden Aaronson. The stadium had mostly been filled with noise from the away section prior to that.

Ampadu, Daniel Farke and Ed Wootten all expressing their frustration with the officials as they came off for the break.

Jaka Bijol doing some intense half-time warming up as it became clear Leeds would make a change for the interval.

Goalkeeper coach Wootten getting Emi Martinez' shirt at full-time, which probably devastated the Villa fan who came armed with a homemade sign on which was a plea in Spanish for a full-time gift from the stopper.

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