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Match Report: Leeds United 2-0 Aston Villa - Roofe scores first goal as Whites tame Lions
Sunday, 4th Dec 2016 12:08 by Lucas Monk

After being knocked out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night by Liverpool of the Premier League, despite a most valiant performance, Leeds United made a superlative return to divisional competition on Saturday evening as they stunned Aston Villa (2-0).

Following what was surely an enriching Anfield experience on Tuesday despite suffering defeat, Garry Monk and Leeds United took on Aston Villa at Elland Road, with the two sides meeting one another in league football for the first time in 12 years.

Prior to kick-off at Elland Road, Villa were unbeaten in seven matches under the tutelage of former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce. But the West Midlands outfit saw their impressive run brought to an abrupt halt as they were vanquished by the hosts courtesy of Kemar Roofe’s first goal in Leeds colours and Chris Wood’s 13th strike of the season, with both of those goals coming in the second half.

The striking result, which served to confound several ‘experts’ among the assembled press, sees Villa slump to 15th position in the table (25 points), while Leeds rise up the standings to 4th, having amassed 32 points under Garry Monk’s guidance this term.

Team Lineups

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor; Phillips; Vieira; Sacko; Roofe (Mowatt 80’); Doukara (Dallas 73’); Wood.

Unused Substitutes: Silvestri, Antonsson, Grimes, Berardi, Denton.

Aston Villa (4-1-4-1) - Gollini; Hutton, Elphick, Chester, Amavi; Jedinak; Adomah (Ayew 77’), Westwood, Gardner (Grealish 67’), Kodjia; Gestede (Agbonlahor 77’).

Unused Substitutes: Bacuna, Tshibola, Cissokho, Sarkic.

First-Half

Leeds began proceedings, shooting toward the South Stand.

The opening ten minutes of the game passed without any event to note, and the first goalscoring opportunity fell the way of the visitors on 12 minutes. After Pontus Jansson dispossessed Albert Adomah with an impeccably timed sliding challenge to send the ball behind for a corner kick, the resulting delivery found the head of Rudy Gestede, but the lumbering Beninese forward could only glance his header straight at Rob Green in the Leeds goal.

The first yellow card of the game was then shown to the Villains’ captain, Mile Jedinak, on 15 minutes. The seasoned Australian international had impeded United’s Hadi Sacko. A mere minute later, and Leeds were almost caught napping by Aston Villa when Jonathan Kodjia had the beating of Kalvin Phillips, but towering defensive juggernauts Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley worked dutifully in tandem to sweep up on the edge of the box.

Villa would continue to apply pressure upon their West Yorkshire hosts, with their next threatening foray forward coming on 21 minutes. Kyle Bartley performed a slightly erroneous header that fell kindly to Jonathan Kodjia, but the Frenchman’s eventual effort from 20 yards sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. The visitors would then have a penalty shout after Albert Adomah went down in the area under a challenge from Rob Green, but quite rightly, the referee waved away the claret and blue protests.

Leeds would then immediately respond with an attack of their own. Kemar Roofe combined neatly with Chris Wood before receiving the ball back from the latter; Roofe then proceeded to cut in and fire toward goal, and although his effort troubled only the side netting, the fluidity of the move won applause from the home supporters.

The half’s best opportunity would come the way of the home side on 31 minutes; Charlie Taylor’s corner from the right was met forcefully by the head of Pontus Jansson, but the Swede’s header flew high over the bar, much to his dismay.

The next real goalscoring chance would again fall in the direction of Leeds on 39 minutes. Kyle Bartley connected with a Souleymane Doukara cross, but the Swansea loanee could only see his header bounce wide of the mark.

With half-time fast approaching, Mile Jedinak played a splitting pass into the path of Jonathan Kodjia. The ball eventually found its way to Gary Gardner, who saw his effort blocked by a defiant Bartley. That would prove to be the last act of a tightly contested half in which clear-cut opportunities proved a premium.

HT - Leeds United 0-0 Aston Villa

There were no changes to speak of for either side at half-time, and so both teams emerged from the tunnel unchanged for the second period.

Second-Half

As United had begun the first-half, it was the right of opponents Villa to get the second period underway, with the hosts now shooting toward the Kop. The visitors would have the first shot of the second period after just 10 second-half seconds, Jonathan Kodjia fired a ferocious effort toward goal that fizzed well wide of the mark.

The Villains would then have the most inviting goalscoring opportunity of the entire game up to this point on 53 minutes. Albert Adomah evaded several defensive challenges before surging through on goal with only Rob Green to beat, but the Ghanaian could only drive his shot wide as Green, formerly of the England national side, made himself big in an attempt to throw the Villa wide-man off.

A minute later, and Villa would again go close to breaking the deadlock after Rudy Gestede headed down into the path of Ashley Westwood, who proceeded to smack a stinging, venomous volley toward goal that Green did exceptionally well to parry behind. The resulting corner was to no avail.

Leeds would then have appeals for a spot-kick fall on deaf ears as Mile Jedinak appeared to obstruct Kemar Roofe inside the penalty area on 61 minutes. In truth, the latter did go to ground easily and although there was contact, his manner in going down perhaps swayed the referee to take no action.

Six minutes passed, before Steve Bruce opted to make the first of his three permitted substitutions. Gary Gardner was replaced by Jack Grealish, a player previously embroiled in an array of carousing scandals.

Just two minutes after that change, and Leeds took the lead. Souleymane Doukara’s exquisite right-footed cross from the left channel was headed home with audacity and aplomb by Kemar Roofe, with the former Oxford United talisman scoring his first goal for the Whites in the process. Cue pandemonium in the stands, and a typically zealous reaction from fan-favourite Pontus Jansson.

Five minutes elapsed before Doukara was substituted in place of Stuart Dallas, and Doukara, who in recent weeks has regained his place in the first-team and scored a couple of crucial goals in the process, went off to audible applause from a fervent home crowd, still revelling in the sheer euphoria that the opening goal brought about.

On 77 minutes, a double substitution for an increasingly desperate Aston Villa followed a Pontus Jansson foul on Ashley Westwood, for which the former was booked. Off came the impotent Rudy Gestede and Albert Adomah, to be replaced by Jordan Ayew and Gabriel Agbonlahor as the Villains pursued an equaliser.

Two minutes passed before Leeds decided to make their second substitution of the match; off walked the goalscorer Kemar Roofe, to exuberant cheers, and on came Alex Mowatt for the final 11 minutes or so that remained.

The attempts of an increasingly forlorn Villa outfit to get themselves back into the game were in vain, with Leeds diligently closing down their claret and blue contemporaries with much in the way of vigour. The majority of the game’s closing minutes saw Leeds keep Villa at arm’s length, with opportunities for either side proving scarce until the second minute of added time. Charlie Taylor swung in a cross from the left that found Chris Wood at the back-post, but the New Zealander could only smash the ball straight at Gollini from a tight angle.

Villa, now resorting to long, aimless punts upfield, where then swiftly countered by Leeds in the fourth minute of the five added on. Hadi Sacko turned on the afterburners and surged past a hapless Jordan Amavi and then a despairing Tommy Elphick before shooting under the body of Gollini, whose slight touch on the ball only prolonged the agony for his side. Chris Wood promptly slid in to bundle the ball home and seal the three points for United.

FT - Leeds United 2-0 Aston Villa - Roofe 68’, Wood 90+4’

After a highly competitive first-half in which clear-cut opportunities and quality attacking moves proved a profound rarity, United were good value for the victory. Well-organised and disciplined, the hosts always looked the more likely to find the net, and once they broke the deadlock they did not look back. The Whites’ pressing was first-rate and Aston Villa can have no complaints whatsoever with regard to the game’s outcome.

Man of The Match

MOTM - Luke Ayling

The 25 year-old right-back put in yet another spirited performance, and his timing of the challenge was superb throughout the match. His defensive contribution was integral to United’s success on the night, and not for the first time either.

Media: Victorious Leeds United head coach Garry Monk

When quizzed on his views after a fine victory, Garry Monk gave an honest appraisal of his side’s performance and admitted that there could be further improvements made in future.

“It is a difficult one to assess because we have had a very tough week,” said Monk.

“I don’t think we played that well and we only really started to play better after our first goal.

“We were doing things that we don’t normally do, we weren’t using the ball well enough and we were causing ourselves problems. Physically despite having the midweek game where we used a lot of energy and we finished the game really strong.

“Kemar Roofe’s goal was a fantastic finish, he has been excellent over the past month and I think he is getting better every time he goes on to the pitch.

“It is great to be where we are in the league and it shows we are doing something right, but you have to be very mindful with this group because they are still learning and are very inexperienced. Each game now will become bigger and bigger with the expectations, but we don’t look at it like that.

“I still think we are below what we are going to be, we are still a work in progress and there is still a lot of work to go before we reach our full potential. It is testament to the character and spirit of the team for us to get the three points which is the most important thing.”

Monk went on to hail the influence of the Leeds United supporters, who made up a healthy home crowd despite the game being televised.
“The match reminded me of the Burton Albion game, when we’d beaten Norwich City EFL Cup and we weren’t quite at our best and the crowd got us through.”

“We are always grateful for the support, the crowds are growing each week which is really exciting for us and exciting for our young players to play in front of the big support.
“I’m pleased with the effort, pleased with the players and pleased with this week, we have to keep our mind on the job and be ready for Brighton next Friday,” Monk concluded.

Match Statistics and Facts

Stats - (Leeds/Villa)

Possession - 55% /45%

Pass Success - 75% / 69%

Shots - 10 / 10

On Target - 4 / 3

Corners - 4 / 5

Fouls - 15 / 9

Referee - P. Bankes

Booked - Phillips, Jansson (Leeds), Jedinak, Ayew (Villa).

Attendance - 32,648

Writer's View

What a way to conclude a fine week of football for Leeds United. Although Aston Villa were languishing in a mid-table position prior to kick-off, they came into the game defending a seven match unbeaten run under Steve Bruce that we did remarkably well to bring to an abrupt halt.

I’m inclined to agree with Garry Monk’s assessment of the game. Indeed, I felt that our performance away to Liverpool on Tuesday night was of a better standard than on Saturday, but it is testament to the mental strength and steely resilience of this side that we were still able to topple an opulent opponent who had outlaid substantial amounts of currency on several high-profile players throughout the summer transfer window.

We were structured, abrasive but fair in the tackle, and extremely potent on the break. Our first goal was nothing short of an excellent piece of play. The accuracy of Souleymane Doukara’s cross, and then the aplomb with which Kemar Roofe headed it home, are both commodities fully deserving of endless replays.

I take the view that each and every one of our players performed admirably. Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley were once again impervious at the heart of our defence, as were Luke Ayling and Charlie Taylor. Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips played with composure and guile beyond their years, while Hadi Sacko and Souleymane Doukara presented Jordan Amavi and Alan Hutton with many a problem. Kemar Roofe excelled once more in a central role, and Chris Wood's industry was rewarded with a 13th goal of the season. On the whole, the endeavour and commitment of this side can not be taken issue with.

Following this tremendous result, we now sit 4th in the Championship table. But we cannot become too self-satisfied at this stage. The fact that Villa, who now sit 15th, would have been just a point behind us had they secured victory, is representative of just how compact and competitive this division is. We need to take each game as it comes, starting with a adurous trip to Brighton and Hove Albion next Friday in, guess what? Another televised fixture. Thank you for zilch, Sky.

Photo: Action Images



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TimWhelan added 13:09 - Dec 4
Is it just me, or was the first half as dull as dishwater? Villa looked well organised and solid in midfield and enjoyed the bulk of the possession, but without carrying any real threat in front of goal. I was beginning to see why they have had so many draws so far this season. Steve Bruce was adamant that they should have had a penalty from that 21st minute incident, from his vantage point 100 yards away, but thankfully the ref disagreed.

But we deserved the win in the end, and the next two games against Brighton and Reading are looking well crucial. Only seven points from the automatic promotion places, so dare we start to dream?
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