U21s: Leeds United 2-1 Aston Villa

Leeds United struck late to beat a valiant Aston Villa at Elland Road in Premier League 2 on Monday night.

Brenden Aaronson put the hosts into the lead at the end of a low-key first half, driving the ball into the far corner.

The visitors responded through half-time substitute Omari Kellyman, who turned the ball home with his first touch of the game.

An end-to-end second half saw numerous chances created by both teams before Sean McGurk scored the winner with six minutes left.

Leeds came into the game third in the table, five points above Villa, and they featured first-team players Aaronson and Georginio Rutter as they looked to pick up a first PL2 win of 2023.

Striker Rutter carried the fight to the visitors early on and fired the first shot after four minutes, dragging a low effort wide from the edge of the box.

Villa arrived in Yorkshire having racked up five consecutive league wins, and the Young Lions showed their attacking intent when Chisom Afoka tested Kristoffer Klaesson for the first time.

Tony Carss’ team looked destined to take the lead after 28 minutes when Declan Frith’s storming run ended with him pulling the ball back for Kaine Kesler – only for the full-back to be denied by Klaesson from yards out.

That miss proved costly when Aaronson fired Leeds ahead three minutes before the interval.

The American collected Kris Moore’s pass and held off Seb Revan before sending a shot across Oliwier Zych and into the far corner.

Kellyman was introduced in place of Frith at half-time, and the winger made an instant impact, scoring with his first touch.

The 17-year-old was in the right place in the box to receive Revan’s cross, sending a first-time effort past Klaesson to draw his team level.

With Rutter and Aaronson having also been substituted at the break, Leeds struggled to create clear-cut openings as their influence on the game waned.

However, after 74 minutes a misplaced pass from Zych led to a golden chance for Charlie Allen. The midfielder sidestepped Revan in the box before seeing his drilled shot saved by the goalkeeper’s feet.

With tensions rising inside Elland Road, Klaesson had to be alert to tip Kellyman’s drive over the bar. Shortly after, a dipping shot from Sam Greenwood smacked the crossbar as the game flowed from end-to-end.

And just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, McGurk lashed home Connor Ferguson’s cross with six minutes to play.