Villa bagged the only goal of the game midway through the first half when Danny Ings converted a penalty awarded after Leif Davis had handballed in his attempts to cut out an Ings cross.
Ings coolly slotted the ball home into the bottom left corner as Villa finally beat Whites 'keeper Illan Meslier who had saved a Philippe Coutinho spot kick in the first half.
Meslier had produced a stunning save to keep out both Coutinho's penalty and his attempt at a rebound. Moments later, United's French 'keeper tipped an attempted dinked finish from Ollie Watkins over the bar after Coutinho had played in the striker one on one.
Leeds had good chances themselves, a firm Dan James drive tipped wide by Robin Olsen and James later fired wide when following up a Patrick Bamford shot which was parried back into the box. James was also denied by Olsen from point blank range in the second half.
But a game that featured numerous strong challenges which irked United's players was marred by an injury to 16-year-old midfielder Archie Gray who was stretchered off following a challenge from John McGinn in the 70th minute.
Graham Smyth, the YEP's chief football writer, hands out the scores from a fiesty clash at the Suncorp Stadium.

7. Marc Roca
7 - A feisty performance, steamed into lots of challenges, not always timing them to perfection. Will have wanted more influence on the ball, wasn't always accurate.

8. Jack Harrison
6 - Another who saw plenty of involvement in first half attacks but couldn't make it count in the final third.

9. Dan James
6 - Involved in plenty of attacks, got into good positions, denied by a fine Olsen save in the first half. Composure not always there.

10. Brenden Aaronson
7 - Lots of pressing to win the ball back, lots of effort, some tidy touches in tight areas but didn't always pick the right option.

11. Patrick Bamford
6 - Still looks rusty but got 60 minutes under his belt. Didn't shy away from the physicality.

12. Pascal Struijk (sub)
7 - On at the break and did little wrong. Read situations well, used his size.

