Leeds United will spend at least a week in the Premier League relegation zone following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
The Whites went ahead early doors for the second game running and once again it was Lukas Nmecha, whose block of Ezri Konsa’s goal-line clearance ended up in the net after Anton Stach beat Emi Martinez to a high ball. After Stach’s substitution due to a head injury, the home side continued taking the game to their opponents with an aggressive performance and went into the break a goal up.
Unai Emery made two changes at the break and was instantly rewarded when substitute Donyell Malen set up Morgan Rogers to equalise with a deft finish two minutes after the restart. And the away side went on 75 minutes through Rogers, whose free-kick beat Lucas Perri from 20 yards.
Leeds looked to have responded instantly through Dan James but replays showed his effort bounced in off the hand of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and it was therefore ruled out. The Whites continued pushing for an equaliser but were unable to pull level, with a third consecutive defeat suffered.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Lucas Perri
6 - Had little to do beyond the goals. Seemed to be unsighted until late for the free-kick. Kicking wasn't great. | Getty Images
2. RB: Jayden Bogle
8 - So much better than he was against Forest. Aggressive, physical, smashed into challenges and got forward well. | Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
8 - Defended well. Won individual battles with Watkins. Kept Leeds on the front foot as they pushed for a leveller. | Getty Images
4. CB: Pascal Struijk
7 - Had to take the yellow and concede the free-kick from which Villa scored because Barkley was in. Malen gave him some difficulty but there was some good stuff in possession and in terms of reading the game. | Getty Images
5. LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
7 - Unable to prevent Cash from getting the pass away to Malen for the equaliser but was otherwise solid defensively and caused problems attacking. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
7 - Plenty of effort and fight. Got stuck in. Walked a yellow card tightrope well. | Getty Images