Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia scored in each half to hand Unai Emery’s Aston Villa a deserved 2-0 win over Leeds United on Friday night. It was another game in which the old rule was proven: you can’t achieve anything if you don’t play defence.It was another largely frustrating night for Jesse Marsch and Leeds fans. Every week they repeat the same mistakes and are becoming more and more difficult to justify.Despite offering exciting football, attacking and creating a fair number of chances, the Whites can’t seem to get the basics right. Keeping the ball under pressure, defending and converting chancesEmiliano Buendia pounced on the loose ball after Leon Bailey’s shot was saved and gave Aston Villa the second goal. All Leeds’ efforts and fine work in the opposing half, especially Wilfried Gnonto’s electric runs came to nothing as Marsch’s defence proved way too porous for this level of football.Wilfried Gnonto for 3.8M was such an excellent signing by Leeds. pic.twitter.com/unzjWHtI5q— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) January 13, 2023 Substitute Patrick Bamford reduced the lead with less than ten minutes left, latching onto a Gnonto’s pass to beat World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, who’d done exceptionally well to keep his net intact up to that point.Sadly for the visitors, their goal proved no more than a reminder that they could have been a fine team – if only they didn’t concede goals like schoolboys.PREMIER LEAGUEThursdayFulham – Chelsea 2-1 (1-0)/Willian 25, Vinicius 73 – Koulibaly 47/FridayAston Villa – Leeds United 2-1 (1-0)/Bailey 3, Buendia 64 – Bamford 83/Saturday15:30: (5.40) Man.Utd. (3.70) Man.City (1.75)18:00: (2.70) Wolverhampton (3.05) West Ham (2.80)18:00: (3.05) Nott.Forest (3.25) Leicester (2.55)18:00: (3.80) Brighton (3.60) Liverpool (2.05)18:00: (2.25) Everton (3.25) Southampton (3.60)20:30: (1.65) Brentford (3.90) Bournemouth (6.00)Sunday17:00: (1.62) Newcastle (4.00) Fulham (6.25)17:00: (1.65) Chelsea (3.80) Crystal Palace (6.25)19:30: (3.60) Tottenham (3.50) Arsenal (2.15)***odds are subject to change***
