Leeds fell behind after just three minutes as Leon Bailey finished off a rapid Villa break which started from a Whites corner. United produced a strong response and Rodrigo raced through one-on-one only to see his shot cleared off the line before a superb save from World Cup winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez denied Jack Harrison at point-blank range.
More chances then presented themselves after the interval but Villa doubled their lead in the the 64th minute as Emi Buendia headed home over Illan Meslier from six yards out after Meslier had beaten away a fierce drive from Bailey.
The Whites finally pulled a goal back in the 84th minute after brilliant work from Willy Gnonto set up Patrick Bamford to slam home his 100th league goal on his return from injury but it was too little too late for Leeds who returned home with nothing.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a ninth defeat of the Premier League season and a seventh consecutive game without a victory.
The Whites finally pulled a goal back in the 84th minute after brilliant work from Willy Gnonto set up Patrick Bamford to slam home his 100th league goal on his return from injury but it was too little too late for Leeds who returned home with nothing.
![6 - The frenetic nature of the game didn't play to his strengths. A few nice passes and moments where he got his foot in.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE0ZjY0YjJlLWVmNGItNDk3Mi1hOGRhLTgwNWY0NTJmMTY1MTpiNjNjOGQ1NS1lMzUyLTQ5N2UtOGI2My0zMzcxMjQ2YzViOWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Marc Roca
6 - The frenetic nature of the game didn't play to his strengths. A few nice passes and moments where he got his foot in. Photo: Gareth Copley
![8 - Yet again at the heart of the good stuff. Ran at Villa every opportunity, drew fouls, beat men and claimed a brilliant assist.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZjM2QxODIwLTJkZDEtNDY4Mi1hZDZkLWNiOTQxNjhkMDBhZjo0NTQ0MDkwMC1jOWE3LTRmODEtODVhMi1hYjBkMzBlYjJiNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Willy Gnonto
8 - Yet again at the heart of the good stuff. Ran at Villa every opportunity, drew fouls, beat men and claimed a brilliant assist. Photo: Gareth Copley
![6 - Caused a problem with pace, delivered a great ball for Rodrigo in the first half but dithered at times in and around the area.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBjYmQ5YTFmLTA1NjYtNDYwNi05ZWMyLTdhNDQ2MWQzZmQ3YTpkMzg5NTBkYS0zZGIzLTQ3YzMtOWFiNi0wODBjYjk5MDM0N2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Jack Harrison
6 - Caused a problem with pace, delivered a great ball for Rodrigo in the first half but dithered at times in and around the area. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![5 - A difficult game to sum up. Poor and lightweight in the first half, resorted to diving. Brighter in the second half without a big impact.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU1Mjk3NzdlLTRlNDItNDRmOS1hYjdiLTA2YzU1OGZlZDJhMzo5MjA3MjAxZS02Y2Y5LTRiZTMtOTRjMS02NjNkODUwMzgzMDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Brenden Aaronson
5 - A difficult game to sum up. Poor and lightweight in the first half, resorted to diving. Brighter in the second half without a big impact. Photo: Clive Mason
![7 - Ran himself into the ground, movement caused Villa problems and could have led to a penalty. Kept fighting.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFkYzcyYmRhLWFhYWEtNDE0NS1hNmE2LTI3MTE5ZmNmMTYyNDpkN2QxNjZiZi0zMzhmLTQwYTAtOTY5Yy04ZTQ3ZmZhMzY3NTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Rodrigo
7 - Ran himself into the ground, movement caused Villa problems and could have led to a penalty. Kept fighting. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK
![7 - Got his goal and took it well. Looked rusty at times but sharp enough at others. Got in the right positions.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmEzOTM4NmNmLWVlYTgtNDY2Yy1hYThiLTM3ZGNhMDg1ZDFkNzo4MGIwMTA2YS05ZjU2LTQ4MjYtYmQzOC0zYjFhOGMyOTllMTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Patrick Bamford (sub)
7 - Got his goal and took it well. Looked rusty at times but sharp enough at others. Got in the right positions. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK