Pablo Hernandez excels on comeback as first team quartet help Leeds United under-23s move top

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
PABLO HERNANDEZ came through an impressive 45 minutes for Leeds United's under-23s who moved top of Premier League 2 with Sunday's thrilling 3-2 victory against Aston Villa.

Hernandez returned from a muscular issue as an unused substitute in Friday night's 2-1 loss at home to West Ham United and started for the 23s in Sunday's 1pm kick-off at Thorp Arch.

Pascal Struijk also started in the holding midfield role whilst fellow first team squad members Ian Poveda and Tyler Roberts were named on the bench and both came through 45 minutes in the second half with Roberts netting what proved the winning goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Playing in the no 10 role behind striker Joe Gelhardt, Hernandez immediately began pulling the strings and started a flowing move which led to a fine chance for Niall Huggins in the seventh minute.

WINNING GOAL: Netted by Tyler Roberts from the penalty spot. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.WINNING GOAL: Netted by Tyler Roberts from the penalty spot. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
WINNING GOAL: Netted by Tyler Roberts from the penalty spot. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Huggins saw his shot from inside the box saved but Leeds and Hernandez continued to impress with the Spaniard then producing an outrageous nutmeg and attempted lob from 50 yards out which was saved by Tom Heaton.

Villa, though, struck against the run of play to take a 25th-minute lead as the impressive Jaden Philogene-Bidace was afforded too much space and ran in on goal before producing a firm low shot which zipped off the slippery surface and beat Elia Caprile.

Leeds continued to dominate and a brilliant pass from Hernandez released Bobby Kamwa whose shot was saved but Villa then doubled their lead as Tyreik Wright shifted the ball past Charlie Cresswell before beating Caprile from inside the box.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yet a rapid response of two goals inside 90 seconds brought Leeds level with Kamwa first sliding the ball home from a corner before United were then awarded a penalty for handball.

Sam Greenwood converted the spot kick and another sublime Hernandez pass then sent Gelhardt clear only for Heaton to save.

A crazy first half then ended with a free-kick from Philogene-Bidace bouncing back off the crossbar.

Hernandez was then taken off at the break with Struijk and Leif Davis also making way as Roberts, Poveda and Jack Jenkins were introduced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A smart save from Caprile kept out Wright shortly after the restart before Roberts fired wide after good work from Poveda on the left.

Caprile then once again denied Wright with Callum Rowe skying the rebound over the bar.

Greenwood, who excelled in the no 8 role, then opted to shoot following a strong run but saw his shot saved when Poveda was free.

Poveda then blazed an effort well wide from the left but United were then awarded their second penalty for a foul on the lively Kamwa.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Roberts stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly sent Heaton the wrong way to put the Whites in front.

United continued to attack looking for a fourth and only a stunning save from Heaton kept out Oliver Casey's header from a corner.

Villa then made a late surge looking for an equaliser but in the end Villa were fortunate not to concede a fourth with Roberts and Gelhardt both going close in the closing stages.

Leeds United under-23s v Aston Villa: Caprile, Drameh, Davis (Poveda 45), Struijk (Jenkins 45), Cresswell, Casey, Kamwa, Greenwood, Gelhardt, Hernandez (Roberts 45), Huggins. Subs not used: Christy, Kenneh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Leeds news you can trust since 1890
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice