Premier League
Aston Villa 1 (Abraham 88′)
Leeds United 1 (Stark 31′)
villa: Martinez (goalkeeper), Cash (Garcia 87′), Konsa (center), Mings, Buendia (Abraham 75′), Watkins, Luiz (Bogac 87′), Mattson, Onana (Barkley 61′), Rodgers, Pele (Sancho 61′). Unused substitutes: Wright (goalkeeper), Lindelof, Digne, Torres.
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Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson (Bihor 46′), Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Nmecha 73′), Stach (Longstaff 83′), Justin, Gruev. Unused substitutes: Perry (GK), James, Pirro, Tanaka, Bornau, Genonto.
site: Villa Park
Attendance: 43,048
referee:Michael Oliver
Booked: Buendia (Villa) Bihor, Darlow, Bogle, Gruev (Leeds)
Despite Anton Stach’s first-half goal of the season, Leeds were forced to settle for a Premier League point away game against Aston Villa.
The Germans took the lead with a thunderous free-kick from 35 yards out, but the Whites were forced into a draw as Tammy Abraham equalized at Villa Park.
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Returning to Birmingham following last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup victory at St Andrew’s, manager Daniel Farke has made some changes to the starting XI, including the return of defender Pascal Struijk from injury.
The visitors had an early chance when Stach’s clever flick found Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s run, but the forward saw a low shot from a tight angle blocked by the crimson and blue shirts.
The England international then went closer, latching on to a deft pass from Jayden Bogle, but Emiliano Martinez equalized with the striker’s effort from close range.
Stach next tried his luck when he saw Villa defender Ezri Konsa fire a fierce shot from the edge of the area as United finished well in the West Midlands tie.
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Moments later, the Germans set their sights again… The midfielder fired a beautiful free kick from 35 yards out (and beyond), past Martinez’s desperate dive and into the top corner!
Looking for a second quick shot, Calvert-Lewin followed a sharp break and passed the ball to Ilya Gruev, who curled the ball just over the post.
Farke’s side had to be cautious to prevent an equalizer approaching the break as Joe Rodon’s reading of the game was impressive as he dived to keep out Ollie Watkins’ first-time half-volley.
In the final moments of the opening period before Michael Oliver finished the game, goalkeeper Karl Darlow made a superb two saves to deny Amadou Onana from close range before reacting brilliantly to save the ball from danger.
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Half-time: Aston Villa 0-1 Leeds United
The White Team made personnel changes after halftime. Jaka Bijol replaces the hard-working Gabriel Gudmundsson in defence.
In front of a crowded visitors’ goal, captain Ethan Ampadu sent a long ball to the edge of the penalty area, and Bogle’s powerful volley beat Struijk for the home team to clear.
Just after the hour mark, Watkins controlled the ball over the top but, on turning, fired a wayward shot wide of the far post.
Villa’s cross from the right was met by Tyon Mings, but United avoided danger thanks to a crucial intervention from Behor.
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Villa Park thought the home side had found out as they threatened to equalize as Watkins fired home from close range.
Emiliano Buendia’s first goal was struck perfectly off the post by the diving Darlot and then fell to the striker, but the assistant coach raised the flag for offside.
A second change in the dugout then saw Lukas Nmecha step in and the Germany international almost doubled the advantage with his first touch.
The striker dived down the right to meet Bogle’s pass, forcing a splayed Martinez to make the necessary save. Moments later, the goalkeeper equalized Calvert-Lewin’s low shot from a tight angle.
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Tammy Abraham equalized in the 88th minute, firing the ball into the goal from a corner after Konsa’s header.
United defended resolutely before Oliver’s final whistle and the Birmingham side went all out in search of a winner.
The Whites return to action in the Premier League next weekend when they take on title-winning Manchester City at Elland Road.
Full match: Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds United