El Ghazi’s early objective earns Villa 1-0 win at Leeds in Premier League

Anwar El Ghazi’s early objective clinched Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Leeds and lifted his facet to inside some extent of the English Premier League high six on Saturday.
El Ghazi was left unmarked to show residence the one objective from shut vary within the fifth minute and dogged defending noticed Villa avenge its 3-0 residence loss to Leeds in October.
Villa secured simply its second win in seven league video games on the highway, whereas Leeds’ up-and-down first season again within the top-flight continued.
Marcelo Bielsa’s facet was denied back-to-back residence wins after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat of Southampton and was not often allowed to hit the identical heights.
When Raphinha went near scoring contained in the opening 30 seconds — he simply failed to attach with Patrick Bamford’s cross — it appeared this might be one other entertaining sport at Elland Road.
But whereas it ebbed and flowed within the first half, Villa shut down its opponents after the interval and, for Leeds, the sport led to a whimper.
Villa had a penalty attraction turned down when a nook struck Luke Ayling on his arm after which capitalized on sloppy Leeds defending to take the lead.
Ollie Watkins slipped as he fired at objective, however the ball discovered its option to the unmarked El Ghazi within the six-yard field and, though he additionally misplaced his footing, he steered residence his sixth league objective of the season.
Leeds responded via midfielder Tyler Roberts, however his thumping effort was nicely saved by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after which El Ghazi twice went near extending Villa’s lead.
The Dutchman’s first shot was tipped over the crossbar by Illan Meslier and he pulled his second, a low effort, simply broad.
Stuart Dallas fired in a low shot and residential skipper Liam Cooper headed straight at Martinez as Leeds chased an equalizer.
El Ghazi maintained his shoot-on-sight coverage, however was wayward with one other effort and on the different finish Helder Costa’s low shot was blocked and Roberts fired over, with Leeds restricted to half-chances as halftime beckoned.
Leeds’ gamers continued to drive the problem in the beginning of the second interval, however the killer cross eluded them.
Cooper did simply sufficient to divert Villa captain Tyrone Mings’ header broad from a nook, however the free-flowing motion earlier than the break made means for a extra scrappy affair.
Leeds struggled to interrupt down a resilient protection and when substitute Jack Harrison’s late cross supplied the group its finest likelihood of rescuing some extent, Raphinha fluffed his header.