Unbeaten record comes to an abrupt end

It was fun while it lasted, and Aston Villa hadn’t been on a 7 game unbeaten run since the Martin O’Neil days so we were due a loss sooner rather than later. It had been a really great run, and there is no reason why Villa can’t go on an even better run this season. Elland Road was always going to be a tough place to go, and Gary Monk has really started to turn that football club around, but Villa need to bounce back quickly with Christmas period just around the corner. Villa should keep looking up the table, as they are only 6 points from the playoffs, but also 6 points from 22nd, so this demonstrates how The Championship continues to show its a brutal league, and the players really need to dig in for the whole season if Villa are going to get promoted.

On this occasion, I think Steve Bruce got his selection wrong in places. We paid Leeds far too much respect, and having Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew on the bench for so much of the game, whilst Rudy Gestede failed to impose himself at all meant that Leeds could settle into their stride in the second half, and the home crowd picked up. Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood in midfield isn’t dynamic enough, it would have been great to see Leandro Bacuna show his strength and pace, Bacuna has impressed in midfield this season. Hindsight is a truly wonderful thing though.

Pierluigi Gollini, Tommy Elphick and Alan Hutton all played their part in the opening goal, and all showed a lack of decisiveness. Gollini didn’t jump high enough for his punch, Elphick ducked out the way and Hutton didn’t close down the cross. Heard this all before? Unfortunately, yes. Ironically, if Nathan Baker was fit, would he have taken ball and player to clear the danger? Whilst Bruce has played to our strengths over the past few months, our weaknesses were put on display on Saturday, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the January transfer window is just around the corner. A central midfielder, a right back and another centre back are likely to be purchased. And Villa keep being linked to goalkeepers as well.

Leeds were resilient, quicker and man for man arguably better. Kodjia was bullied out the game and Sakho got the better of Amavi down the right wing. Whilst at times Villa dominated some of the play, we never really looked like scoring, which continues to be an issue and a bit of a head scratcher given the talented forward players we have. Leeds didn’t show any tire, which was particularly impressive given they played at Anfield just 4 days prior to the game. I would be surprised if Leeds didn’t make the play offs this season.

Next up is Wigan at home this coming Saturday, where Bruce is expected to recall Grealish and Ayew to starting line up.