'Very long' - Donyell Malen makes Leeds United claim with Whites admission but same as Aston Villa last laugh
Dutch attacker Donyell Malen came off the bench to prove a big Leeds United problem against Aston Villa.
Donyell Malen has made a “very long” Leeds United claim with a Whites admission but “same” as Aston Villa last laugh.
Netherlands international attacker Malen was named on the Villa bench for Sunday’s Premier League clash at Elland Road and brought on at the interval with his side 1-0 down.
Within three minutes of his introduction, Malen’s thunderous low cross led to Villa drawing level, Morgan Rogers applying a flicked finish to start a Villa comeback en route to a 2-1 success.
A clever Rogers free-kick with 15 minutes left proved the game’s winning goal in treacherous conditions which Malen alluded to in his post-match press.
The 26-year-old said a “very long” Elland Road pitch was heavy on “quite long” grass - but declared that both clubs ultimately had the “same” grass as he saluted proving best in the conditions.
“We’re just better for the three points.”
“We didn't start well, but to get the three points today, it was massive,” said Malen to Aston Villa’s official website.
“It was quite a heavy, very long pitch. The grass was quite long, so it’s not always that easy.
“But at the end of the day, they have the same grass that we have, we’re just better for the three points.”
Admitting that Leeds made life difficult for his side in the first half, Malen added: “I think maybe in the first half you saw that it was a bit difficult for us.
“But, the way we came out of the dressing room, the intensity, and the willingness to win was good.
“Momentum, confidence, and getting good spirits, good vibes, positive energy with each other, and I think we got that all today.”