Reggae Boy Leon Bailey scored a stunning early goal and had a hand in their second as Aston Villa defeated Leeds United 2-1 at Villa Park in an English Premier League clash on Friday night.
The 25-year-old Jamaican winger finished off a quick counterattack after a great run – half the length of the pitch – by Boubacar Kamara in the third minute to put the hosts ahead.
After Ashley Young cleared a Leeds corner, Kamara was ice-cool and played it out wide to Bailey, who chopped inside and curled a left-footed beauty into the top left corner past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
The goal took Bailey’s tally to five this season, four of them in the league, including Villa’s two fastest.
But the early goal was Villa’s only shot in the first half, with Leeds having two penalty appeals rejected, a Rodrigo goal disallowed for offside and missing big chances. Villa debutant Alex Moreno – a £13 million (US$15.9 million) signing from Spanish club Real Betis on Wednesday – denied Rodrigo with a goal line clearance and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pulled off a superb reaction save to deny Jack Harrison from close range.
Head coach Unai Emery’s hosts were better in the second half, and they got the second goal on 64 minutes to make life more comfortable – thanks to the video assistant referee (VAR).
Bailey’s shot was saved by Meslier with Emiliano Buendia heading the rebound over the grounded goalkeeper. The goal was chalked off for offside, but VAR told referee Michael Oliver that Buendia was clearly onside – and the goal was given.
Leeds pulled a goal back on 83 minutes when Wilfried Gnonto cut the ball back for Patrick Bamford, returning after two-and-a-half months out with a groin injury, to rifle home.
But they could not find an equaliser and remain just two points above the relegation zone, with Villa eight points further up the table in 11th.
It was a costly night for Villa, however, as they lost left-back Lucas Digne and striker Ollie Watkins to injury in the first half.
-CMC
