Pontus Jansson explains why Leeds’ win over Aston Villa was so important

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Leeds secured a 2-0 victory over the Villans to move up to fourth in the Championship.

Leeds United star Pontus Jansson has told BBC Radio Leeds that the victory over Aston Villa was an important win as it would have convinced some doubters to believe that the Whites are genuine promotion contenders.

Simply by looking at the Championship table, the clash at Elland Road may have seemed like a formality given the two sides’ respective positions.

Robert Green (L) and Pontus Jansson of Leeds United celebrate

However, Garry Monk’s men would have known that they were in for a tough game as Villa had not lost any of their seven previous fixtures since Steve Bruce’s appointment, during which time, they had faced several of the division’s other high-flyers.

But second-half goals from Kemar Roofe and Chris Wood allowed the Peacocks to take the spoils in a tight game and move up to fourth in the table. And Jansson explained that while the belief was always present within the squad, the three points would have sent a message to others.

Souleymane Doukara of Leeds United (C) in action with Ashley Westwood (L) and Albert Adomah of Aston Villa

“It was really important of course. We had a full Elland Road and we won 2-0 against a good team, Aston Villa,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“They played in the Premier League last year. We showed everybody that we are a good team. Inside the team, we believe in ourselves but now I think people outside started to believe in us.”

Leeds manager Garry Monk talks to Pontus Jansson

The victory would have undoubtedly boosted Leeds’ confidence – even if Jansson believes that the belief was already there – as they quashed the momentum of a team that many would have been backing to be in the promotion mix.

That confidence could be crucial to their hopes of coming through their next two games still in a strong position. Monk’s men face second place Brighton on Friday and follow that up by hosting third place Reading next Tuesday.

And if they come through those fixtures with a strong return of points, then it seems likely that many more outsiders will begin to believe that Leeds will be serious protagonists in the battle for promotion.