Match Recap: Leeds United 0-0 Aston Villa - fiery contest ends goalless

Leeds United were hard pressed by Aston Villa as the ten-man home side were forced to hold out for a goalless draw.

Both sides offered a glimpse of the danger they could provide in the early stages, starting with Watkins who latched on to a poor pass from Liam Cooper before his shot was almost spilled into the path of Coutinho, who might’ve had a tap-in had he not tried to slide in to divert the original attempt on goal.

Some great play from Leeds opened up probably their best chance of the game. Rodrigo dropped deep, laying the ball off to Aaronson who drove into space before finding Sinisterra on the left. The Colombian’s low ball was placed right in ‘no man’s land’ between keeper and defence, but Rodrigo just didn’t quite manage to get a toe on it.

Rodrigo came extremely close to scoring soon after, shifting the ball onto his left before unleashing a fierce strike across Martinez’s goal, curling just wide of the far post.

Meslier was called into action on 41 minutes as Watkins was slipped through on the right channel and looked to drill the ball into the far corner. Meslier made a huge save with the underside of his leg, keeping Villa at bay.

Luis Sinisterra was sent off early in the second half. Having already been booked, he wouldn’t back off from a Villa free-kick and blocked the attempt to take it. A very silly and needless sending-off indeed.

Coutinho almost hit Leeds with a sucker punch just minutes later with a flying volley cracking off the inside of the post before Watkins put the rebound wide.

The Whites had little choice but to sit back and soak up the pressure. Bamford came on and provided a focal point for a bid to steal the three points, and he had a shot parried back into the danger area, where Konsa made an impressive challenge on Aaronson to keep the scoreline 0-0. Bamford set up Klich in a similar position late on, and it was John McGinn this time making a last-ditch tackle.

Overall, a tough game to watch but a point well earned for Leeds United.