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Patrick Bamford had a well-executed hat-trick to condemn Aston Villa to their first loss in eight Premier League games.
Newly promoted Leeds United was buoyant throughout and made Dean Smith’s exhausted men pay with Bamford punishing Villa’s surprisingly mediocre defense with a series of brilliant finishes.
The forward, hated by Villa fans for his performance at Elland Road in April 2019, could have had five or six as he continued to give the likes of Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings a torrid moment.
However, Villa, who could have gone to the top tonight had they avoided defeat, could have gotten through Jack Grealish not once but twice. The captain had an effort aimed at a goal cleared from the line in the first half, while, before Bamford’s opener in the 55th minute, he delivered a dizzying run from deep before forcing Illan Meslier to stop.
However, in the end, Leeds were by far the best team, as Villa ran out of steam against the team Smith called the fittest in the Premier League.
Here’s how we rated the players after Villa’s first blot on what has been an incredible start to the season:
Initial training
4-4-1-1
Emiliano Martinez – 5.5
He claimed well throughout and showed a good distribution with both feet again. However, he stopped Rodrigo’s shot into the danger zone, and Patrick Bamford reacted faster to direct the rebound from inside the six-yard box. He had no chance with Bamford’s thunderous second and was rooted. The Argentinian had a brief observation once again for Bamford’s third as Leeds number 9 nonchalantly rounded one into Martinez’s upper right corner. Leeds’ starter must be a Martinez mistake, as tough as it sounds.
Cash Matty – 5.5
Villa’s best player in the first half, and he had to be to stop Alioski and Harrison’s team from Leeds down the left. He blocked balls for fun and timed his sliding challenges to perfection. He wasn’t able to advance as much as he would have liked, but he did show he is astute on defense as he goes, which was a question mark for some Forest fans ahead of his big move in the Premier League. He allowed Harrison to advance before he chose Rodrigo in preparation for the opener. Harrison, in the end, took the beating from Cash.
Ezri Konsa – 5.5
The 23-year-old birthday boy blocked well to stop Rodrigo’s goal-bound effort as soon as proceedings started and immediately asked his teammates to do better and prevent Leeds from taking hold in the game. Both of Bamford’s goals came from Mings’ side and Konsa did her best to keep Leeds out. I stayed alert as Rodrigo’s ghost enters the box. He was one of four players guilty of seeing Bamford score his hat-trick.
Tyrone Mings – 5
I found Bamford to be a tricky customer with the Leeds number 9 zooming in twice early on as he squirmed between Mings and Konsa and should have done better. However, the Leeds ace soon scored as he reacted faster to Martinez’s save. Bamford, however, bounced back after that and made the most of the fact that Mings surpassed him, not once but twice, as he finished with poise both times to score what was a well-taken hat-trick. It gave Mings a steamy moment, it must be said. The England man fell below his usual standards, which is due to the way he attacked Leeds. I tried to refocus Villa but to no avail as Leeds continued the attack.
Matt Targett – 5.5
He did his job to be fair to him early on and kept Helder Costa calm with Leeds ‘other winger Jack Harrison enjoying the ball more down Leeds’ left. He won his battle in that regard with Bamford damaging the two center halves of Villa alongside him. Not much to shout, mind.
Trezeguet – 4
The Egyptian’s 11th consecutive Premier League start and he endured a frustrating first half, encapsulated when he failed to take advantage of Dallas’ wild pass infield, which presented him with a glorious opportunity. Once again, Trezeguet was picked by Ollie Watkins, but cut off his effort, which was stopped by Grealish, who hit one on target. I found Alioski a tough nut to crack and the Macedonian also had the ever-dangerous Jack Harrison grafting in to help. He did nothing in the second half and was replaced by Bertrand Traore with just over 25 minutes to go.
Douglas Luiz – 5.5
Kept on tiptoe by the brilliant Rodrigo who was looking to play as a number 10 behind Bamford whenever he could. Douglas put out a few shots early and it was a waste when he ran over a pass. It didn’t do much as Bamford made Villa pay with some clinical finishes inside the box.
John McGinn – 6
He started a brilliant lung-breaking move as he advanced from deep before Targett identified him. He dug deep and won crucial balls in midfield to stop Leeds from advancing. He didn’t stop to be fair to the Scotsman and made sure people like Klich had little success.
Jack Grealish – 6
Villa’s most threatening player caught a goal kick with the outside of his boot that would have been worth it just for the entry fee. He knew he had the beating of Dallas at every opportunity and came in with a left-foot shot, only for Ayling to punch well from outside the line. Tangled with Helder Costa with a VAR sentence without penalty. He had a ridiculous run and nearly put Villa ahead before the game became the Bamford show. However, a frustrating evening.
Ross Barkley – 4.5
Guilty of trying too hard from the start, trying cute balls on top instead of being patient. He struggled to prevail during the first half under pressure from Leeds but sought to play with Grealish every time. He hit one from 25 yards that was easily claimed by Meslier. Tonight was a fight against a good team from Leeds.
Ollie Watkins – 6
He was strong, and had to be, against Leeds pairing Ayling and Koch. He played the majority of the first 45 with his back to the goal and sought to hold the ball up to allow bodies to rise with him. Ayling’s pocket was stolen to get Trezeguet out before Grealish’s effort. I had an observation report for the second half when Leeds went one step further. He didn’t sniff out the truth and found himself defending rather than attacking. He turned down a great shot at death after being chosen by Barkley.
Bertrand Traore (replacing Trezeguet 66) – 4
He started to the right of Villa but it was too late.
Unused subs: Steer, Engels, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Hourihane, Davis.
The opposition
Leeds United, 4-1-4-1: Meslier; Dallas, Koch, Ayling, Alioski; Struijk (Shackleton, 19); Costa (Raphina, 83), Klich, Rodrigo (Hernandez, 79), Harrison; Bamford. Subs: Casilla, Poveda-Ocampo, Roberts, L. Davis.
Goals
Aston Villa: N / A
Leeds United: Bamford (55, 67, 74)
The reference: Paul tierney
WHERE: Stuart atwell
Then: Southampton at Villa Park; Sunday, November 1, start at 12 pm; Sky Sports ticket office
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