Leeds United lessons learned vs Aston Villa as Elland Road makes feelings known with message to Daniel Farke
The YEP looks back at some key takeaways from Leeds United's 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Leeds United were unable to climb out of the Premier League’s bottom three following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa. Lukas Nmecha put the Whites ahead early on but a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers turned the scoreline on its head and intensified relegation concerns in West Yorkshire.
Defeat leaves Leeds below West Ham on goal difference and the full-time whistle was met with some boos inside Elland Road as fans vented their frustration. Below, the YEP takes a look at some key lessons learned from the disappointing result.
Team selection under the microscope
A performance as disappointing as Forest two weeks ago called for change but Farke decided one was enough, with Pascal Struijk coming in for Jaka Bijol. It was a decision many expected and thought was correct - and the Dutchman was impressive on Sunday - but another expected change was not forthcoming.
Brenden Aaronson started at right-wing for an eighth consecutive game and won the free-kick that led to Nmecha’s opener, darting into space well, but he also lost possession often. One particular loss of the ball around the hour-mark caused huge frustration inside Elland Road as fans made their feelings clear.
Elland Road sends message to Daniel Farke
That loss of possession from Aaronson, who had ample time to pick a pass, was the catalyst as fans chanted loudly for the introductions of Dan James and Willy Gnonto. Shortly after, Elland Road came together in calling for Farke to ‘make a sub’ and he eventually brought James on, albeit for Ao Tanaka who himself came on in the first-half.
Aaronson moved into a central role and was eventually replaced by Joel Piroe, with Gnonto also coming on for Okafor. James in particular looked dangerous and sharp at right-wing, running in behind the Villa full-back and finding his effort enter the Villa net off Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hand, to eventually be disallowed.
Familiar problem area exploited
Villa boss Unai Emery made two changes at half-time and enjoyed an instant benefit, but it was all-too-familiar for Leeds. Donyell Malen was in acres of space on the left-hand side and after being found, had time to pick out Rogers whose deft finish evaded Lucas Perri. Once again, it came down the Whites’ left-hand side.
Gabriel Gudmundsson was out trying to defend John McGinn and so Malen had to be picked up elsewhere. The Dutchman drifted beyond Noah Okafor to find the space while no central midfielder was able to get across and help out. As has happened too often this season - and as Farke himself noted - Leeds were undone down that side and made to pay.
Leeds United’s second-half burnout
Leeds were full of energy in the first-half on Sunday but that energy dropped off significantly after the break, allowing Villa to come into the game and eventually go ahead. Emery said after full-time he noticed the home side was tiring and with no changes made after Tanaka until the 71st minute, they were able to get a foothold.
Farke’s side have scored two second-half goals all season, one of which was a penalty, and conceded 14, which paints a really clear picture of fast and aggressive starts fading away. The manager needs to be able to change that damning statistic or his side will continue to throw away precious leads.
Two survival staples disappear
In his pre-game press conference amid pressure regarding his future, Farke quite rightly pointed towards Leeds never being in the relegation zone and their points-per-game average never dropping below one. On Saturday they dropped into the bottom three and following Sunday’s defeat, they now have 11 points from 12 games.
With Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool to come in the next three fixtures it’s difficult to see Leeds reclaim either of those two key survival metrics any time soon. Of course, one surprise victory could get that average back and pull the Whites away from danger.