Aston Villa came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 in a lively Premier League encounter at Elland Road on Sunday.
Lukas Nmecha gave the hosts the lead in the eighth minute after an excellent Sean Longstaff set-piece delivery caused havoc inside the Villa box. Emi Martinez failed to claim the ball, with Ezri Konsa’s clearance hitting Nmecha and going into the back of the net — a two-and-a-half-minute VAR check eventually showing there was no infringement amid the chaos.
A bright Leeds performance took them in ahead at half time, but it took just three minutes for Villa to pull level after the break, Morgan Rogers getting in front of the Leeds defence at the near post to divert home a cross from the recently-introduced Donyell Malen.
Both sides huffed and puffed, but just when it looked like the game was about to fade out into a draw, Rogers struck again in the 76th minute with an incredibly executed free-kick that completely fooled Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Leeds thought they’d levelled minutes later, but the goal was rightly ruled out by VAR for a Dominic Calvert-Lewin handball, meaning Leeds remain in the bottom three as Villa move up to fourth.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Rodon vs Watkins: A game of two halves
The personal duel between Joe Rodon and Ollie Watkins in this one was fascinating to watch, and accurately reflected the flow of the match.
In the first half, Rodon was a mountain at the back for Leeds and thwarted Watkins on multiple occasions.
A last-man tackle to stop Watkins racing in on goal in the 20th minute was the pick of the bunch, but the Wales international also put his head on the line to deny his English opponent from a Matty Cash cross shortly after, while he put in another good challenge on the striker just after the half-hour mark.
Rodon made two tackles, one block, five clearances and four interceptions during the course of the match and frustrated Watkins for large periods. However, his best work was in the first half, with Watkins starting to find openings after the break.
The England international started to drift wider in the second half, trying to either drag Rodon out of position or simply free himself from the centre-back’s clutches. Rather than getting embroiled in physical battles through the middle or trying to make central runs, Watkins looked to pick the ball up on the left edge of Leeds’ box, unleashing angled shots on Perri’s goal and forcing defenders to make decisions.
While Watkins didn’t have a decisive touch, his change of positioning opened up the game for Villa, giving their other star forwards room to operate.
Morgan Rogers makes statement in England No.10 battle
Similarly, Morgan Rogers cut a frustrated figure in the first half, only to turn the game on its head after the break in a stunning show of individual brilliance.
The attacking midfielder was a peripheral figure in the first 45 minutes, failing to create a chance or register a shot on target. A few nice flicks aside, he was kept on ice by Leeds’ backline and the combined efforts of holding midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka — the latter replacing Anton Stach early on only to be replaced himself in the 71st minute.
But like Watkins and the rest of the Villa side, Rogers came to life once the players emerged after the break.
Rogers made a great run across the Leeds backline to get in front of Jayden Bogle and flick Malen’s cross home early in the second half. That gave Villa the platform to dominate the match, which was then settled by a moment of brilliance as Rogers dispatched a stunning side-footed, dipping free-kick over the wall and beyond the unsighted Leeds ‘keeper Perri.
From frozen out to fantastic match-winner, Rogers proved here that he can make the difference for his side even when things aren’t going his way. How valuable could this showing be in the battle to claim England’s No.10 shirt at next summer’s World Cup?