A disappointing performance at Elland Road ended Steve Bruce’s run at seven games unbeaten, as manager of Aston Villa. Two second-half goals saw Leeds climb further up the table.
Saturday’s stalemate first-half saw little convincing football from either club. Until that point, it seemed as though both sides were content for a 0-0, maybe 1-1 draw.
Kemar Roofe’s 67th minute header opened up the scoring, before Chris Wood sealed the match with an injury time tap-in.
Several Aston Villa players were particularly poor on the evening. Our player grades for Aston Villa vs. Leeds United:
PLAYER GRADES:
GK Pierluigi Gollini 4
Not 100% culpable on Roofe’s opening goal, but Gollini completely flapped at the cross. I don’t care too much for Steve Bruce hanging him out to dry in the post-game presser. Looks like a fresh goalkeeper will come in during the January window to provide competition.
RB Alan Hutton 5
Shoulders as much of the blame as anyone else in the back-line. Was thrown around like a rag doll for much of the match by Charlie Taylor and Souleymane Doukara.
RCB Tommy Elphick 3
Oof. Awful match from the pre-season captain as he was filling in for the injured Nathan Baker. Perhaps we see the reason why Bournemouth didn’t care all that much to lose him in the summer. Elphick is no bueno.
LCB James Chester 6
Far better than his right-sided partner. James Chester continues to be a massive part of what Aston Villa are trying to accomplish, but he needs more support around him.
LB Jordan Amavi 5
Not a very good match from Jordan Amavi, either. Struggled to provide much of anything going forward, and was particularly awful in his passing.
CDM Mile Jedinak 6
An early yellow card hindered Jedinak’s aggression for the rest of the match. A yellow eleven minutes in for any player – particularly a midfield destroyer, is not good.
CM Gary Gardner 5
Ineffectual and was eventually subbed out in the second-half.
CM Ashley Westwood 6
Surprising start at Leeds considering his awful Cardiff performance last week. Was much better today, deployed in a more advanced role. Interesting, considering that position does not really suit his abilities.
RW Albert Adomah 6
A subdued performance from Adomah. He subbed off as well in the second-half.
ST Rudy Gestede 5
Received a favorable WhoScored rating, but that seems a bit dubious to me. Again, Gestede should be coming off the bench.
LW Jonathan Kodjia 4.5
Wasted out wide. Needs to be the number nine with a license to drift into different channels.
I don’t feel like doing the substitutes…Next up, Wigan Athletic at home.