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.

13. Leo Hjelde (sub)
7 - Another who got stuck in, got forward too and almost caught Olsen out with a cross.

14. Cody Drameh (sub)
6 - Tried to get forward, added width but didn't manage to make his time in possession count. Let Ings in behind him, sleeping at a free-kick.

15. Adam Forshaw (sub)
7 - Lots of good challenges, some tidy moments in possession. Kept the tempo up.

16. Mateusz Klich (sub)
6 - Buzzed around in midfield, tried to link up, couldn't quite create as Villa provided a stubborn defense.

17. Luis Sinisterra (sub)
6 - Got on the ball a couple of times, got involved defensively, no real joy to be had.

18. Sam Greenwood (sub)
7 - Some tidy play. Looks very comfortable on the ball even in tight areas and isn't shy of a challenge.

