The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 23rd February) Hard earned draw at Villa Park
Hard earned draw at Villa Park
Leeds United came agonisingly close to securing a crucial victory in their battle against relegation, only for a late equalizer to deny them what could have been a season-defining three points. A moment of brilliance from Anton Stach put them ahead in the 31st minute, as his stunning free-kick caught Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez off guard, sending the traveling fans into raptures. For much of the match, Daniel Farke’s side defended resolutely, with Karl Darlow making a crucial close-range save from Amadou Onana just after halftime. A disallowed Ollie Watkins goal added to the tension, but Leeds nearly extended their lead when Martinez denied Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in quick succession late in the game.
As the clock ticked into the 88th minute, Leeds seemed set to hold on for a vital win, until Villa’s Tammy Abraham pounced from a Jadon Sancho corner, salvaging a draw at the death. It was a cruel blow for the Whites, that up until the Arsenal game just over three weeks ago, had only conceded once all season between the 80th - 89th minute (Liverpool's Szoboszlai in the 80th minute in the 3-3 draw at ER on 6th December). Since the 31st January, Leeds goals from Jesus 85th minute v Arsenal January 31st, Lucca 86th minute v Nottingham Forest 6th February, Patrick Roberts 89th Minute equalizer for Birmingham the other week, and now Tammy Abrahams 88th minute strike at the weekend for Villa.
Daniel Farke's biggest headache has to be the ten goals relinquished in stoppage time, a trend that is worsening with time, but a point on the road at Villa Park is still a point more than most of us envisaged before the game. With Forest conceding late against Liverpool, West Ham being held by Bournemouth and Spurs losing the North London derby, the Whites maintain a six point gap between themselves and the drop zone, but with 33 points still to play for, anything could still happen.
Relegation round-up
The battle to avoid relegation has narrowed to a tense four-horse race. With Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already securing their Championship spots next season, all eyes are now on who will join them in the drop. West Ham remain the bookmakers’ favourites to go down at 8/11, just ahead of Nottingham Forest at 5/2, Tottenham at 9/2, and Leeds United at 12/1. Tottenham, currently sitting at the bottom of the form table, are in particularly worrying form. Their last victory, a hard-fought win at Crystal Palace, came all the way back in late December, and 10 games without a win have left Spurs fans anxious. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have shown signs of life, clawing their way to 16th place with nine points from their last ten fixtures. It’s not dazzling football, but it’s enough to keep hope alive.
West Ham and Leeds, currently occupying 12th and 13th, are both on 12 points, with the Hammers holding a sliver of an advantage thanks to a superior single goal difference. Leeds, however, have been masters of the stalemate, drawing six of their last ten games, more than any other team in the top flight over that period. While draws keep them ticking over, they will be eyeing the 40 point mark. Elsewhere, after a fantastic campaign, Sunderland’s slide continues as they drop to 17th in the form rankings with just nine points from ten games and three straight losses. But with so little separating the strugglers, momentum can shift quickly. In this nervy endgame, belief, grit, and maybe a stroke of luck could be the difference between another season in the Premier League, or an unwanted trip back to the Championship.