Live-action from villa park
Villa: Martinez (GK), Cash, Konsa, Mings (C), Luiz, McGinn, Buendia (Chukwuemeka 59’), Watkins, Coutinho (Young 78’), Digne, Ramsey (Chambers 89’). Subs not used: Olsen (GK), Sanson, Ings, Hause, Chrisene, Iroegbunam.
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Koch, Raphinha, Llorente, Dallas, Rodrigo, James, Struijk, Harrison, Klich (Forshaw 85’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Roberts, Bate, Gelhardt, Hjelde, McKinstry, Shackleton, Kenneh.
The six-goal game ended with a point on each side at Villa Park, in a game that saw both teams attack everywhere and a good ball on display.
After three quick goals at home cancelled out Dan James' opener, the Whites struggled from a 3-1 down to take the most out of the game.
By the time the match started, Illan Meslier was forced to save a lot in the first two minutes. A dangerous corner hit the box and saw many bodies turn the ball towards the goalposts, but ‘the goalkeeper was alert enough to shoot it off the post.
Leeds then stabilized the game after the initial shock and played some good football, to elevate the pitch and create problems. Doing so forced a mistake on the home side, allowing the Whites to open the scoring.
Rodrigo pressured Tyrone Mings to make a mistake at the edge of the box and snatched the ball from the Villa man. He showed calmness so he could look up and find James running smoothly finishing in the lower corner, putting his side forward.
Two excellent chances came from both sides in a game aimed at attacking. First, Mings put a wide header where he was well placed in the corner before another Leeds attack ended when James hit a 25-yard effort over the crossbar.
From the next attack, Villa equalized. A quick throw-in created a chance for January's arrival Philippe Coutinho to collect the ball at the edge of the box and finished as just as James made the first open, he didn't give Meslier a chance by sliding the ball into the corner of the net. one by one.
With 15 minutes to go, no team wants to keep the game going and they want to take the lead. Following his goal, Coutinho got into the game and played some excellent football after the defence for Jacob Ramsey to control and finish, putting Villa ahead.
Two home team goals came three when Coutinho again became a supplier and Ramsey a finisher. The Brazilian had the ball high on the pitch and saw Ramsey run forward into the space, play him, and the midfielder did the rest by finishing in the top corner.
Remarkably, goals were not scored within the opening 45. Leeds continued to look dangerous in attack and pull one back. A shiny ball on the wing made it possible for Rodrigo to fall into the box and following the turn, James was there to head home for the second time in a game!
The time-consuming whistle blew shortly afterwards and brought five goals in the first half to Villa Park, with the home side scoring.
Half Time: Aston Villa 3-2 Leeds United
Both teams that came out unbeaten in the second half looked set to continue in the same way as in the first, attacking. Stuart Dallas saw his goal effort diverted into the hands of Emi Martinez, and Meslier had to be careful in many Villa games.
Just after the hour mark, Leeds threatened in a corner. The deep ball in the box saw Pascal Struijk create a space and the defender's head was well pulled out of the line by Mings.
Seconds later, the Whites were not rejected. Once again Struijk gave strength with ahead towards the post and saw it blocked, but this time Diego Llorente quickly responded and finished well after the net to make it three, with half an hour left!
Next up was Mateusz Klich. Rodrigo had continued to cause trouble for the home defenders all night and stole the ball from Ezri Konsa on the edge of the box and handed it to Klich, who saw his left foot effort save Martinez.
With the last few minutes of the game, the home team was reduced to 10. After taking the time to book earlier, Konsa for no reason put his arm around Meslier’s face when ‘the goalkeeper tried to kick a quick goal and was well given his instructions to do so.
That allowed Bielsa's side to continue looking for the winner and with eight minutes of extra time, they gave their all. However, Villa stood firm and saw the last few seconds in level.
After struggling to come back with two goals behind, Leeds are taking an important point and will be playing at Goodison Park next weekend, facing Everton sitting just below them in the Premier League table.
FULL TIME: Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United
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