Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia netted as Aston Villa restored pride after their humiliating FA Cup exit.
But Leeds will be left wondering how they left empty-handed after dominating for long spells and having 15 shots. The visitors had a goal ruled out by VAR and were denied by a superb save from Villa’s World Cup-winner Emiliano Martinez.
They struggled to find a way past the Argentine until substitute Patrick Bamford’s late effort. But it wasn’t enough after Bailey superbly fired the hosts into an early lead after a quick break.
Buendia then doubled the advantage in the 64th minute to leave boss Unai Emery pumping his arms in delight after more good work from dangerman Bailey. It delighted the home fans who had booed their men off on Sunday after losing to League Two Stevenage 2-1.
But for Leeds, and boss Jesse Marsch, their winless run extends to seven games in all competitions dating back to November 5. Villa made an ideal start as Ashley Young found the breaking Boubacar Kamara to pick out Bailey.
The Jamaican had missed some howlers against Wolves and Stevenage in Villa’s previous two games. But this time he was deadly as he cut inside and bent a sublime left-foot curler into the far corner in the third minute for his fifth of the season.
It was an ideal start for the hosts but an early injury to Lucas Digne saw new £12million full-back Alex Moreno introduced in just the 10th minute. Leeds tried to claw themselves back into the contest as a clever free kick slipped in Rodrigo, who was blocked by Martinez and Jack Harrison put the loose ball against the post.
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Villa spent most of the half largely on the back foot and in the 27th minute, Bailey illustrated why he can frustrate as well as delight after Young sent him free only for the ace to square the ball way ahead of the on-rushing Ollie Watkins. Leeds pushed for a leveller but were denied in the 42nd minute by a dramatic clearance by sub Moreno to keep out Rodrigo’s left-foot goal-bound shot after he rounded Martinez.
The visitors were then desperately unlucky not to equalise in the 45th minute when Martinez made a fabulous save from Jack Harrison before Young bravely threw himself in front of the follow-up from the impressive Wilfried Gnonto.
Villa also survived a VAR check after Rodrigo put the ball in the net but was adjudged to be offside in the build up. Villa had another major let-off just after the restart when Tyrone Mings slipped on the halfway line attempting a Cruyff turn and Leeds broke through Rodrigo.
The move ended with Young making another fine block while Gnonto next curled a right-foot effort which Martinez did well to save at full stretch. But despite all Leeds’ chances and dominance, it was Villa who doubled their advantage.
Bailey was the threat again as he cut in from the right and stung Illan Meslier’s palms following another quick break. Buendia reacted first to the rebound to head in despite Meslier’s efforts to keep the follow up.
It was initially flagged offside but Buendia’s header was allowed to stand for his third of the season. Villa held out for the three points despite Bamford returning from injury to net in the 83rd minute after more good play by Gnonto.
