Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United
Leeds United seem to have rediscovered the formula that made them one of the most fun teams to watch in the Premier League last season. For the third time in four games, they scored three goals as they held Aston Villa to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
In a frenzied first half full of Premier League 2022 highlights, a Philippe Coutinho-inspired Villa scored three goals after Leeds took a surprising early lead through Daniel James.
But the Whites fought back as James struck again just before half-time and Diego Llorente took advantage of some poor Villa defending to score the equaliser in the second half.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps this thrilling encounter between the Villans and the Whites.
Highlights of the game
It took just nine minutes for Leeds to take the lead at Villa Park. The returning Rodrigo Moreno, who was making his first start since late November, slid the ball into James in the penalty area, and the Welsh winger – again starting at the No 9 position – pulled off a fantastic finish any centre-forward would be proud of as he sent his shot straight into the bottom corner.
James then came within inches of getting his and Leeds’ second goal on 29 minutes, but his brilliant shot from the edge of the box struck the crossbar.
And just moments after receiving that good fortune, Villa got their equaliser. A terrific cross from Matty Cash found Philippe Coutinho, who took one touch and produced a similar finish to James, with the ball heading straight into the bottom corner.
Revitalised by the goal, Villa then took the lead eight minutes later. This time, Coutinho turned provider as he delivered an exquisite through ball to Jacob Ramsey, who kept his cool and slotted past Illan Meslier.
That combination would also be responsible for Villa’s third, which came just a couple minutes from half-time. Coutinho expertly orchestrated a Villa counterattack and picked the right pass to release Ramsey, who once again provided a fabulous finish to beat Meslier.
Leeds looked down and out at that point, but they showed the fighting spirit that was present in their wins over Burnley and West Ham as they pulled a goal back just before the break. After Villa failed to properly clear a Rodrigo cross in their six-yard box, the diminutive James outmuscled a couple of Villa defenders to nod the ball into the net.
The second half was not nearly as eventful as that incredible first, but Leeds were the more proactive side as they searched for an equaliser. And they got it just after the hour mark through Diego Llorente. Tyrone Mings’s weak clearance of a Pascal Struijk header went straight to Llorente, and the Spanish centre-back quickly pounced on the rebound and blasted the ball past Emi Martinez.
Villa defender Ezra Konsa would get himself sent off with three minutes to go after picking up a silly second yellow card for making contact with Meslier as the keeper was trying to throw the ball out. Leeds didn’t quite have enough time to make the man advantage count by scoring a late winner, but they at least held on for a hard-fought point.
Key statistics
Leeds were well worth their point, and the statistics showed as much. They outpossessed (61 to 39) and outshot Villa, 16-12, and also had an 8-4 edge in shots on target.
James was the star for Leeds with his brace, which doubles his season tally of four goals in 18 games. But Mateusz Klich was brilliant as well for the Whites. The Polish midfielder had four shots and was prominently involved in two of Leeds’ three goals.
As for Villa, Coutinho and Ramsey were the stars of the show. Coutinho seems to be enjoying life back in the Premier League. The Brazilian already has two goals and two assists in three appearances. Ramsey is also in a rich vein of form, with three goals and an assist in his last three games.
What’s next?
After their win at West Ham and draw at Villa, Leeds will look to pick up another promising away win in their next game against Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees were thumped 3-1 by lowly Newcastle in Frank Lampard’s debut for the club.
Leeds and Everton met in the second game of the season, which resulted in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road. Everton took the lead twice through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray, but the Whites came from behind twice with goals thanks to goals by Klich and Raphinha.
As for Villa, the Premier League 2022 odds will fancy them away from home as they take new-look Newcastle, who have emerged out of the relegation zone after their win over Everton.
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