The Holy Trinity: Aston Villa conclusions from scrappy Premier League win v Leeds United

Villa had to come from behind at Elland Road but three points took them into the top four

Aston Villa’s visit to Elland Road was a potentially pivotal fixture.

Villa lost at Liverpool at the start of November, their only defeat in their last nine Premier League matches. Every time Liverpool lose, that looks a worse result for Unai Emery’s team.

They followed up by beating AFC Bournemouth comfortably but Sunday’s game against Leeds United was primed to add context to the Liverpool loss. Win at Elland Road and Anfield was a bump in the road. Lose to Leeds and Liverpool could be interpreted as an indicator of a weakness away from home.

Villa gave Leeds a shit goal and it set the tone for a first half in which Villa buckled in the face of their hosts’ boosted confidence.

They were sloppy all over the pitch but imposed themselves in the second half and came from behind to win, for which they deserve credit.