Leeds United secured their second clean sheet of the season last night against Aston Villa, but still had plenty of reasons to feel aggrieved. See what the Whites fans thought of last night’s clash at Elland Road, and how each player was rated.
Leeds United Player Ratings for Aston Villa Clash
Man of the Match
With a score of 6.97, Tyler Adams was awarded Man of the Match by the Leeds United fans in this week’s poll. His composure and energy in midfield worked in perfect balance, regaining possession and providing a stalwart figure that Aston Villa had to play around – they simply couldn’t get through the American. He was a fundamental part of Leeds United securing a clean sheet and gleaning a point from the match.
Adams was shortly followed by Illan Meslier on 6.81. Meslier had the odd moment dealing with crosses, punching the ball away instead of settling for simple catches, but he more than made up for these errors. Ollie Watkins had a dire night, amassing an XG of 1.2 but when finding himself up against the outstretched limbs of the potential heir to the French number one shirt, he couldn’t break through. Meslier remains one of Elland Road’s finest assets.
Good fight 90 minutes.
Great to be back at Elland Road. @LUFC pic.twitter.com/gzIgGKojjX— Robin Koch (@RobinKoch25) October 3, 2022
Refereeing Inconsistencies
Another Leeds United home match, another series of refereeing inconsistencies. Luis Sinisterra saw red in this match as a result of clipping the heels of an Aston Villa player and later blocking a free kick. By the book, these are two yellow card offences, and the Colombian should be off. However, there is something of an argument for mitigating circumstances in this match.
Within 90 seconds of the first whistle, Leon Bailey dragged Luis Sinisterra to the ground as he attempted to break, launching the ball across the pitch seconds later and refusing to allow the Whites to take a quick free kick. A quick wag of the finger and a “tut tut” from the referee, and the Jamaican was on his way, unbooked. Even Mateusz Klich’s traditional antics were worthy of bookings, but alas, the card stayed away in those instances.
After an incredibly bitty game that couldn’t get going, Jesse Marsch stated that the league promised to managers they will “Do better with controlling the run of play in matches”. Stuart Atwell managed quite the opposite and incensed many fans in doing so.
Leeds United Player Ratings
- Stuart Atwell (Ref) – 1.64
- Illan Meslier – 6.81
- Rasmus Kristensen – 6.24
- Liam Cooper – 6.66
- Robin Koch – 6.73
- Pascal Struijk – 6.47
- Tyler Adams – 6.97
- Marc Roca – 6.53
- Brenden Aaronson – 5.77
- Jack Harrison – 5.47
- Luis Sinisterra – 4.21
- Rodrigo – 5.69
- Luke Ayling (Sub) – 5.68
- Patrick Bamford (Sub) – 6.53
- Junior Firpo (Sub) – 5.86
- Mateusz Klich (Sub) – 6.63
- Crysencio Summerville (Sub) – 5.42
