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Patrick Bamford’s hat-trick saw him create a bit of history for Leeds, as Aston Villa was denied first place in the Premier League.
Bamford’s second-half hat-trick saw the forward become the second player to score in each of Leeds’ first three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38. .
The 27-year-old scored six Premier League goals for the season as Marcelo Bielsa’s team continued their impressive return to the first division.
Villa was pursuing his own club history, having never won his first five league games in a season before. They have yet to do so, and Friday night’s defeat saw them lose their chance to top the Premier League table for the first time since October 2001.
Bamford had a good chance early on for Leeds, but his diving header off a cross from the left by Ezgjan Alioski narrowly missed.
A superb block from Ezri Konsa, diving in front of Rodrigo’s shot, saw Leeds approach again shortly after. From the resulting corner, Alioski sent another direct effort to Emiliano Martínez.
At the other end, Ross Barkley stung Illan Meslier’s palms with a shot from outside the area.
Leeds enjoyed the best of the first 25 minutes, but Villa took advantage of his luck and then had the best chance of the game so far.
A low cross by Ollie Watkins from the right side of the penalty area eluded Trezeguet in the center and found Jack Grealish at the far post. The Villa captain made good contact with his left foot as he deflected the ball towards the goal but Luke Ayling’s was on the goal line to clear the ball.
Leeds survived a penalty scare late in the first half when Grealish fell under a challenge from Helder Costa inside the box. Referee Paul Tierney rejected the appeals and his decision was supported by a VAR check.
A quick break from Jack Harrison saw him put Bamford in goal with a beautiful pass, but Konsa and Tyrone Mings did enough to discourage the forward and he deflected his shot.
Grealish got involved again early in the second half, nearly opening the scoring with a sensational solo career. The 25-year-old picked up the ball deep in his own field before embarking on a rush forward, facing challenges from three Leeds players on his way to the penalty area.
He took his time working his way to the right side, but with the defenders sliding around him, but when he finally managed to shoot, he went straight to Meslier.
From the resulting corner, Meslier performed an acrobatic save to send Konsa’s volley over the crossbar after he defeated Ayling. It was fundamental.
Despite Villa’s start of the second half, it was Leeds who took the lead after 55 minutes. Alioski and Harrison led a counterattack, with the latter highlighting Rodrigo’s run into the area. His effort was initially rebuffed by Martinez, but Bamford was on the prowl to put the fumble at the far post.
Leeds was on the rise from taking the lead and doubled their lead shortly thereafter. It was Bamford again, launching a shot into the top corner of the net from outside the box with unerring accuracy.
Bamford completed his hat-trick after 74 minutes, showing good feet to work a yard of space inside the penalty area before passing the ball past Martinez.
Leeds were creating chances at an alarming rate and Bamford had a chance to score the fourth but threw his header into the keeper’s arms, before Pablo Hernandez fired wildly over the crossbar when he had time and space to do much better.
Watins saw the goal in injury time for a consolation goal for Villa, but dragged his effort away.
