From Rubbish to Ruthless, How Villa Stunned Leeds in a Wild Game of Two Halves

Villa’s trip to Elland Road felt like two different matches stitched together. The first half was terrible. We were flat to everything, and never once looked like we were building any momentum. Leeds pressed with purpose, and we simply looked off it. Nothing flowed. It was one of those halves. We were off the pace, and Leeds, they went into the break a goal up, and deservedly so.

Our transformation after the break was quite remarkable. Emery did not wait around. He made changes early, and they had an immediate impact on the team. Within minutes of the restart, Villa were moving with intention, imposing themselves the way a top side should. Our reward followed quickly, Morgan Rogers scoring Villa’s opener on forty-eight minutes.

Rogers deserved every bit of the praise that followed. His second goal was something else, a world-class free kick that had the Leeds keeper rooted to his spot; he didn’t stand a chance. Rogers played with guile and intelligence, and a real sense of responsibility, and in a match where someone needed to grab it by the scruff, it was him.

Ollie Watkins remains a puzzle. His work rate never dips; he keeps running, keeps showing, but the goals simply will not come. He looks slightly off the pace, almost burdened by something; he looks trapped in thought. I can’t quite put my finger on it; he needs a goal, and soon.

What cannot be questioned is the influence of Unai Emery. This season began horribly for us, and yet here we are, climbing to fourth in the Premier League with a clarity and conviction that comes straight from the manager’s work ethic. The players are delivering on the pitch, but the structure, the discipline, the belief, all stem from him. I believe it’s Emery’s management that has turned Villa’s fortunes around; well done Emery.

So a game of two halves, but also a reminder of how far Villa have come in a short space of time. The first half showed old flaws. The second half showed Emery’s Villa. And that version is capable of a lot more than grinding a win at Elland Road. UTV

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