Leeds and Villa play out draw at Elland Road
World of Sport Reporter: @worldofsport
Leeds v Aston Villa is a fixture that would grace any league in the world. Two giants steeped in history, battling it out for promotion to the Premier League is the reality these two fallen giants find themselves in, however.
A game of two halves is a bit of a cliché, but that was the tale of the tape last night as Leeds dominated the first half going in 1-0 through a Pontus Jansson header. Villa took control of the second half and deservedly equalized through Henri Lansbury.
Leeds started the game the brighter of the two, and played with a high-intensity approach, but they had nothing to show for their well-worked build-up play despite Caleb Ekuban and Ergjan Alioksi's energetic displays.
Pontus Jansson heads Leeds in front
The home side took the lead on 19 minutes, however. A Pablo Hernandez corner was met at the front post by fans favourite Pontus Jansson who rose highest and glanced his header into the roof of the net. It was a beautiful header and the packed-out Elland Road faithful were in full voice.
Leeds thought they had gone 2-0 up when Liam Cooper headed in a Henrandez free kick, but the linesman flag was rightly up, and the goal was disallowed, although it would have been a deserved lead for Leeds’ play.
They finished the half 1-0, but after the break Villa took control. Aston Villa began to dominate possession as Leeds sat back, but the visitors were unable to penetrate the stoic Leeds defence.
Lansbury celebrates his equalizer
But then with 20 minutes remaining, a nasty challenge with Neil Taylor and Pontus Jansson, which the referee deemed 50/50, saw the ball fall to Henri Lansbury some 20 yards out. The Villa substitute then drove a low shot that went in off the post to leave the Leeds keeper Felix Wiedwald no chance.
The final stages were played at a rapid pace, as both teams went in search of the winner. Samu Saiz and Keinan Davis both looked to force a late winner for their respective sides, but neither team could break each other down.
Both teams are looking good for a promotion surge. For Leeds it’s been way too long since they were in the Premier League, while Villa fans will be getting restless if they miss out for a second time. A fair result, between the two fallen giants and it keeps both teams in the hunt. For the sake of the Premier League, however, it would be nice to see both teams back where they belong.
Photo/Link Sources:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.leedsunited.com
www.skysports.com
For the Very Best in Sports Related Media, Follow Us @worldofsport
What do you buy the golfer who has everything? A short game!
Good match. I think Leeds had the better of it. Hope both teams are promoted, like you say, they should be in the EPL.
Yes, a good game. When teams like Leeds and Villa, and even Forest and Sheff Wednesday aren't in the Premier League, it shows how competitive English football is.
I think Leads have chance to do it
It would be nice to see them back up. And Villa.
Yes its possible
@reported has voted on behalf of @minnowpond.
If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowponds team on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond.
This post has received a 1.34 % upvote from @buildawhale thanks to: @mojorisin. Send at least 1 SBD to @buildawhale with a post link in the memo field for a portion of the next vote.
To support our daily curation initiative, please vote on my owner, @themarkymark, as a Steem Witness
This post has received a 47.62 % upvote from @sneaky-ninja thanks to: @mojorisin.