Garth Crooks has been discussing Leeds’ 3-0 win over Aston Villa in his Team of the Week segment, and he’s singled Luke Ayling out for praise.
The BBC pundit wrote: ‘The clearance off the line by Ayling from Jack Grealish’s shot at arguably the most crucial time in the match against Aston Villa was absolutely brilliant. The Leeds captain’s instincts took him to the area where he knew his goalkeeper was exposed. It was exceptional defending.’
The Leeds No.2 created the issue himself after losing the ball to Ollie Watkins on the wing, but he displayed incredible awareness to position himself beyond Illan Meslier to make the goal-line clearance.
Ayling’s excellent piece of defending – which occurred in the 26th minute according to The Guardian‘s live blog of the match – helped preserve Leeds’ clean-sheet against an in-form Aston Villa team.
Shutting out the likes of Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and Watkins is a tough ask, so Marcelo Bielsa’s side deserve enormous credit for their display at Villa Park, not just Ayling – although he was superb.
The Yorkshire-based side’s captain on the night won four aerial duels, more than any of his teammates managed, while he also made one key pass according to WhoScored.
Ayling also completed nine long passes from an attempted 17. No player on the pitch – apart from Emiliano Martinez – completed more accurate long-range passes.
The very least Ayling deserves is a mention in Crooks’ Team of the Week segment following such a fine display.
Bielsa’s men now sit sixth in the Premier League on ten points, just three points behind Everton who remain top.
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