'One of the best' - Aston Villa ace opens up on his relationship with Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds United return

Dutch winger El Ghazi spent seven months under Bielsa at Lille and struck the only goal of the game for Villa in Saturday evening's Premier League clash against the Whites.

In doing so, El Ghazi was also laying something of a personal Elland Road ghost having been sent off upon his last visit to United's ground in the eventful 1-1 draw in the Championship of April 2019.

El Ghazi was wrongly adjudged to have struck out at Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford in the melee that followed Mateusz Klich's strike as the Pole scored with Jonathan Kodjia down injured.

El Ghazi was heading for a three-game ban that was then rescinded as Bamford himself was handed a two-game ban for deception.

Villa went up in the play-offs as Leeds missed out but United went up as champions the following season and Bamford scored a hat-trick in October's 3-0 win at Villa Park, a game which El Ghazi missed.

But the forward proved the man to sink the Whites in Saturday evening's reverse fixture at Elland Road and El Ghazi was quick to hail Bielsa after the success.

Asked by Sky Sports if the victory was all the more satisfying given that he had played under Bielsa at Lille, El Ghazi said: "Of course. I will have a talk with him inside.

"I have a very good relationship with him.

"He is a very good coach, one of the best I have ever had.

"I have a lot of respect for him and unfortunately he did not win today."

Reflecting on creating better memories than on his last visit to Elland Road, El Ghazi said: "I was talking with the gaffer about it yesterday.

"The last time we were here it was hectic and chaotic so I am happy that this time it is a better end for me because the last time I was very disappointed.

"I was very upset because of the play-offs and everything so I am happy with the result today."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/what-a-time-to-be-alive-jack-grealish-posts-message-after-aston-villa-beat-leeds-united-at-elland-road-3149365

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins