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Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds: Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey strike at either half to topple Jesse Marsch’s side despite Patrick Bamford halving the deficit late on… as the turnaround continues under Unai Emery
- FULL TIME: Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United win: hosts hang on for victory
- Villa’s Leon Bailey opened the scoring in the third minute with a stunning finish
- Emi Buendía doubled Villa’s lead with an instinctive shot in the second half
- Patrick Bamford pulled one back for Leeds in his first appearance since October
- Early injuries to Lucas Digne and Ollie Watkins saw both leave the Aston field
- Villa secured their first home win of the year to draw with Chelsea
Aston Villa were level on points with Chelsea for tenth in the Premier League standings after securing their first home league win of the season in a thrilling 2-1 win at Villa Park.
Leon Bailey opened the scoring three minutes into the match when Aston Villa fired from the bottom of a Leeds corner and completed a well-worked move in which the Jamaican’s curling effort found its way past the Leeds keeper .
The visitors fought hard to create chances and control great moments from the rest of the first half, but were unable to capitalize on good chances as Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced several impressive saves.
Aston Villa striker Leon Bailey cut in with his left foot inside to finish calmly in the third minute.
Bailey celebrated scoring within the first five minutes of the game to put the hosts in control
VAR was successful in its typical intervention, but was used correctly to first deny Leeds striker Rodrigo an equalizing goal that saw him run offside, before overturning the same decision to award Emi Buendía’s second-half goal. .
Aston Villa players celebrate doubling their second half lead against Leeds
Leeds showed struggle, most notably through teenage attacker Willy Gnonto, who entertained a brilliant battle with veteran defender Ashley Young.
The Italian finally got his breakthrough to help Patrick Bamford in his first game since October as Leeds reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute.
Follow the Sportsmail live blog for the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Leeds.