Leeds United hero Jermaine Beckford has been full of praise for Wilfried Gnonto following his performance at Aston Villa. The Italian impressed in Birmingham despite his side losing.
Leon Bailey (3’) and Emiliano Buendia (64’) hit home for the claret-and-blue club to deliver a 2-1 win for boss Unai Emery. Patrick Bamford (83’) pulled a goal back for Jesse Marsch’s side in the closing stages. But his first Premier League strike of the season was not enough.
Marsch started Gnonto at Aston Villa for the Leeds winger’s fifth opening call across seven top-flight appearances since his arrival. The Elland Road outfit paid FC Zurich £4m to clinch the eight-cap international’s transfer in September. He had made his Azzurri debut in June.
Gnonto has provided one goal and an assist since signing for Leeds on a five-year contract worth £20k-a-week. He penned his only assist for the West Yorkshire natives in November in a 4-3 win over AFC Bournemouth. But he scored his first goal against West Ham United.
Marsch saw Gnonto find the back of the Irons’ net on January 4 to break the deadlock in a 2-2 draw. The stalemate also marked the second time the Italian played the full 90 minutes for Leeds. He has since played a full 90 at Cardiff City in the FA Cup and now at Aston Villa.
Beckford was full of praise for Gnonto after his role in Aston Villa vs Leeds
Gnonto caught Beckford’s attention with his efforts at Aston Villa, despite Leeds ending up as the losing side. The Italian stood out to the former Whites forward with his drive on the ball against Ashley Young. He also played a key role in the build-up to Bamford’s late goal.
The Italian turned Morgan Sanson inside the area to work space and drill a ball into the six-yard box. Joe Gelhardt got the faintest of touches on Gnonto’s cross before the ball fell for Bamford to score. But it was Gnonto who Beckford praised on Sky Sports Main Event after.
“Brilliant strength from Wily Gnonto,” Beckford said (13/01, 22:19). “[He] managed to turn Ashley Young pretty much every time. And look, again, you show direct running, nice and strong, looked up, where’s the player in the middle of the pitch. Patrick Bamford’s there.”
Beckford added: “Willy Gnonto has been brilliant today. He’s been a problem… Willy Gnonto came up against a really, really smart, intelligent, experienced pro in Ashley Young and that’s going to be brilliant for his personal development.”
As well as his work towards Bamford’s goal, Gnonto produced a teasing effort while Aston Villa only led Leeds 1-0. Emiliano Martinez had to do well to deny the forward an equaliser with the Italian’s shot otherwise curling into the top corner of the World Cup winners’ net.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
