Sam Greenwood stunner helps 10-man Leeds United past Aston Villa as promotion is secured
The Whites earned a hard-fought win and with it earned promotion on Friday night.
Sam Greenwood's stunning first half free-kick helped lift 10-man Leeds United to promotion and a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
The Whites needed just a point to seal the Premier League 2 Division Two title on Friday night.
Greenwood - who has quickly made a name for himself as a set-piece specialist - opened the scoring for Leeds after just four minutes at Bodymoor Heath training ground with a wonderful dipping free-kick.
United had the chance to double the advantage before the 10 minute mark but top goalscorer Joe Gelhardt failed to convert the penalty he had won.
The game set off at frantic pace in the Midlands and it was the visitors who dominated possession.
It took until the second half, though, for the Whites to add to their slender lead as winger Crysencio Summerville produced a dazzling run down the right flank.
His cross found Jack Jenkins in the six-yard box and the midfielder fired home at the second attempt.
Leeds appeared to be cruising to victory and all three points until captain Charlie Cresswell saw red 14 minutes from time.
The centre-back slid in late and received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Villa pulled one back through Aaron Ramsey from a free-kick and almost levelled late on but Elia Caprile and Oliver Casey produced two stunning blocks to keep the lead intact.
Mark Jackson's side held on and with the three points earned the title and promotion to the top flight of England's academy divisions at the first time asking.
Leeds United Under-23s: Caprile, Drameh, Huggins, Jenkins, Cresswell, Casey, Kamwa (Kenneh 76), Forshaw (McKinstry 84), Gelhardt (McCarron 45), Greenwood, Summerville. Subs: Van den Heuvel, Allen.