'Oh my word!' - Micah Richards gushes over Leeds United star after Aston Villa showing
A handful of Leeds United stars have been picked out following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Micah Richards has heaped praise on ‘amazing’ Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu after his performance during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Ampadu was among several Leeds players to impress in the stalemate at Villa Park, combining an aggressive defensive showing with some classy moments on the ball. The Welshman won the free-kick that Anton Stach fired into the top corner from 30 yards and drove his side forward with some excellent runs.
That goal looked set to be the winner until substitute Tammy Abraham’s late goal but despite the dropped points, Daniel Farke’s squad could leave Villa Park with their heads held high. And Leeds-born Richards picked out a few impressive performances, singling out captain Ampadu for special praise.
“Can we talk about how good Leeds were by the way?” the former Manchester City and Villa defender told The Rest Is Football. “Ethan Ampadu, oh my word! His energy, his football intelligence, his technique.
“Do you remember him early doors at Chelsea? When he was coming through there, he was a centre-half, now he’s in central midfield dictating play. He’s been amazing, along with Stach who has been really good this season.
“[Jayden] Bogle has been playing really well and [James] Justin, especially when they adapted to five at the back. But it’s just the way they’re creating chances, defending well and they’re entertaining to watch. Daniel Farke has done a really good job there.”
A point at Villa Park ensured Leeds maintained their six-point cushion on 18th-placed West Ham, who drew 0-0 at home to Bournemouth later on Saturday. Between the pair, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur both lost at home to Liverpool and Arsenal respectively 24 hours later.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer’s Leeds United survival verdict
There are now 11 games left for Leeds, who need just three wins to reach the 40-point milestone that has so often guaranteed safety. And along with Richards, co-hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer backed the Whites to survive, with the former also singling out Justin after another solid showing across centre-back and left wing-back.
“Six points ahead of West Ham, I think they’ll be alright don’t you?” Lineker asked, to which Richards and Alan Shearer swiftly agreed. “You mentioned James Justin, obviously I watched him a lot when he was a Leicester player. I had a chat with Gareth Southgate a couple of years ago, and Justin had [suffered] two very serious injuries, one of which was not long before the World Cup four years ago.
“He was absolutely brilliant that season and I said to Gareth that James Justin must have been close and he said ‘Justin would have been in my England squad, but for his injury’. So I’m really pleased to see he’s getting a return to the form I saw a lot at Leicester.”
Leeds now have a week to rest and recover before arguably their most difficult game of the remaining season. Farke’s side host title contenders Manchester City at Elland Road on Saturday.