Aston Villa 1 Leeds United 1: Tammy Abraham nets late leveller

The striker flicked home off his knee at close range to earn a point which, while doing little for the home side’s Premier League title hopes, could prove crucial in preserving a top-four finish.

Anton Stach’s first half free-kick had seemingly put the visitors on course for just their second away league win of the season.

But Abraham helped Ezri Konsa's header into the net for his first Premier League goal since Boxing Day 2020 to deny them.

Analysis

Leeds keeper Karl Darlow had earlier saved from Amadou Onana and Emi Buendia to preserve his team’s advantage.

But Villa were also indebted to their keeper, Emi Martinez, who prevented Lukas Nmecha from putting the game beyond reach before Abraham scored.

Martinez had been caught out by Stach’s opener, when the midfielder opted to shoot rather than cross from a free-kick 30 yards out.

Unai Emery's hosts huffed and puffed and their home form, with just one win in the last five matches in all competitions, remains a concern.

But Chelsea’s home draw with Burnley means they have not lost any ground in the race for Champions League football.

Victory would have moved third-placed Villa back within five points of leaders Arsenal but it is what happening beneath them in the table which now feels more significant.

Chelsea's draw kept Villa's advantage over the London club at six points, heading into Friday's trip to bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

Abraham, an £18.2million summer signing from Besiktas, will be pushing to start that match after scoring for the second successive weekend.

Villa had looked short on inspiration for much of the afternoon and were given a big early warning when the game was goal-less.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had already missed the chance to go through on goal when a poor first touch sent him wide and allowed Ezri Konsa to recover and make the tackle.

But when Jayden Bogle then lifted a pass into the box, the striker’s first touch could not have been better and his second would have broken the deadlock were it not for Martinez, who sent the shot wide with his legs.

It was hard going for the home side, who got a rare glimpse of goal when Darlow came for a long ball he shouldn’t. Buendia’s first-time lob into an empty net from the left wing was well off target.

Leeds were comfortable and just past the half-hour mark, ahead. Ollie Watkins conceded a free-kick 25 yards out on the left and with everyone expecting Stach to send the ball into the box, he instead fired toward goal, beating Martinez’s desperate dive at the near post.

It was a classy strike but bearing in mind Stach had scored similar free-kicks twice already this season, prompted questions about Villa’s preparation.

Only in the final minutes of the half did the home side begin to threaten and in reality they should have gone in level.

Leon Bailey and Watkins both wasted good shooting positions before the ball fell perfectly to Onana at the far post. Darlow spread himself to block the shot, with the loose ball just evading Watkins.

Buendia fired just off target at the start of the second half but Villa were once more struggling for attacking rhythm. 

Watkins tried to spark them with an effort from outside the box which flew well wide until finally, just past the hour mark, the home side began to exert serious pressure.

Goalscorer Stach prevented Tyrone Mings from scoring with a late block, before Darlow got fingertips to a curling Buendia effort to tip it into the post. Watkins briefly brought Villa Park to its feet when he tapped home but from an offside position.

A big roar greeted Emery’s decision to call Abraham over the bench, ahead of coming on.

Yet Villa were almost buried before the striker could get on the pitch. 

Martinez prevented Leeds substitute Nmecha from scoring with just his second touch by saving his point-blank header. The keeper also saved low down from Calvert-Lewin as the visitors sought the knockout blow.

Those saves proved pivotal when, in the 88th minute, Abraham drew Villa level. Ezri Konsa rose to meet Sancho’s corner and the striker sent the ball into the top corner with his knee.

Key Moments

31 GOAL Anton Stach fires Leeds in front, catching Emi Martinez out at the near post.

88 GOAL Tammy Abraham levels for Villa.

Teams

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Cash (Garcia 87), Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana (Barkley 61), Luiz (Bogarde 87), Bailey (Sancho 61), Rogers, Buendia (Abraham 75), Watkins Subs not used: Lindelof, Digne, Torres, Wright (gk).

Leeds (3-4-2-1): Darlow, Justin, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson (Bijol HT), Bogle, Gruev, Stach (Longstaff 83), Aaronson (Nmecha 73), Calvert-Lewin Subs not used: James, Piroe, Tanaka, Bornauw, Gnoto, Perri (gk).