Aston Villa defeated a somewhat unlucky Leeds team to start the Premier League weekend, with both goals being contributed to by Leon Bailey.
After a strong run by Boubacar Kamara in just the third minute, the Jamaican winger capped off a swift counterattack to give the hosts the lead.
The only shot by Villa in the opening period came from Leeds, who had two penalty claims denied and had a goal by Rodrigo ruled out for offside.
Rodrigo was denied by Alex Moreno, making his debut for Villa, with a goalline clearance, while Jack Harrison was stopped by Emiliano Martinez with an amazing reaction stop.
Thanks to the video assistance referee, Unai Emery’s hosts played better in the second half and scored to put them at ease.
Illan Meslier blocked Bailey’s shot, and Emiliano Buendia headed the rebound over the stooped goalie.
Though Buendia was obviously onside, the goal was still disallowed for offside, but the VAR informed referee Michael Oliver that it should still stand.
Wilfried Gnonto cut the ball back for Patrick Bamford, who was making his return after missing two and a half months with a groin injury, to thump home, giving Leeds some hope in the closing 10 minutes.
However, they were unable to score an equalizer and are now only two points above the drop zone, with Villa eight points ahead of them in 11th place.
Villa had a less than ideal evening since they lost Ollie Watkins, the scorer, and left-back Lucas Digne to injuries in the first half.
This was Villa’s first victory at home since the World Cup break in November, which came at a good time following last weekend’s unexpected FA Cup loss to Stevenage.
seasoned fullback Ashley Young took part in the majority of their crucial game-changing moments.
A Leeds corner was delivered by Young to Kamara, who sprinted halfway across the field before finding Bailey, who finished well.
While Moreno, a £13 million acquisition from Real Betis on Wednesday, started the game on the bench, he was immediately necessary as Digne injured his shoulder.
After the striker maneuvered around the Villa goalkeeper, he did well to stop Rodrigo, and later, Young blocked Gnonto’s shot after Martinez stopped Harrison.
Villa only attempted one shot in the first half, which resulted in a goal, and ten times in the second.
Similar to their first goal, they scored their second when Young tackled Tyler Adams in the box just before Buendia headed in from the other end.
After Bamford scored, they were in danger, but Philippe Coutinho came near to putting them at ease with a 45-yard lob that barely missed.
