YEP Jury: Brilliant Patrick Bamford proves doubters wrong on ‘wonderful’ night for Leeds United

DAVID WATKINS

Oh my goodness what a display that was! That was a performance and a result that can’t but fail to transform our expectations for this season.

It is only one game but coming on the back of five very decent games already, this showed just what we are capable of and still without fielding a full strength side and with the likes of Raphinha and Llorente still hardly seen. It is hard now to avoid getting carried away with it all.

A first half that saw Leeds dominate without putting the ball in the net started to feel like the Wolves game but whereas Patrick Bamford could perhaps be criticised for not netting at least one from his five first-half attempts he more than made amends in the second with a superb hat-trick showing all the attributes needed from a top striker; traits he’s not always shown us. His second and third goals were purely down to his own skill and awareness; take a bow Patrick hat-trick!

If there are any doubters left as to our ability to hold our own at this level….tell them to ask Aston Villa!

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

JACOB STARR

I’ll hold my hands up, I really didn’t expect that. A beautiful second half hat-trick from Patrick Bamford saw us ultimately cruise to victory against a team that had recently put seven past Liverpool.

No Kalvin Phillips meant Pascal Struijk moved into midfield with a reshuffle taking place at the back, although the Dutchman was subbed after 20 minutes to avoid a potential red card, being replaced by Jamie Shackleton who did a fine job. But who didn’t?

A terrific goalline clearance from Luke Ayling in the first half gave us a scare, but Bamford produced the goods after the break.

It’s like he is an established Premier League striker, not a man who has barely featured in the top flight.

His second was the pick of the bunch which he arrowed into the top corner magnificently. Someone ought to have a word with Gareth Southgate…

It was on box office, and that performance certainly was box office from Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

MATTHEW EVANS

That’s twice in a row we’ve scored three at Villa Park but this time things were far more comfortable as Leeds United put in another sparkling performance behind closed doors.

There has been lots said about whether United can last the course this season and it’s clear that the pundits have no idea what to say about our performances to date or what we are likely to achieve this campaign.

So far we’ve looked more at home in the Premier League than we ever did in the Championship and Friday night’s game was a great example of how cagey affairs against Dean Smith’s sides are now more likely to be open, expansive and very much in Marcelo Bielsa’s favour.

It was a brilliant team performance with Alioski, Klich, Ayling, Dallas, Harrison, Rodrigo and Shackleton all worthy of a mention but how can you look past Patrick Bamford for man of the match?

Three brilliant goals and each one progressively more stunning.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

KEITH INGHAM

Hat-trick Bamford! A headline not many saw coming but fair play to the striker for not giving up when many people were on his back. The 3-0 battering of Aston Villa was no less than we deserved for a scintillating display at Villa Park.

The first half saw Patrick Bamford miss two great chances while Rodrigo saw a goal bound shot deflected wide. Villa were cursing their luck as Grealish got behind the Leeds rearguard but Luke Ayling was on the line to stop the midfielder’s goal-bound effort.

In the second half it was a different story as Leeds upped to a higher gear and literally blew Villa’s unbeaten start to the season to pieces with three goals from ‘Postman Pat’.

For the first, Rodrigo’s effort was saved but Bamford was there to knock it in.

His second sent me off my seat as he lifted a ball past Martinez and into the top corner of the net.

For his third, he showed tenacity to beat two Villa defenders and send one to the other top corner of Martinez’s goal.

A fantastic hat-trick for a striker that has divided opinions since he signed.

For myself, there is no substitute for hard work and dedication to the cause.

Bamford has that in abundance and it’s great for him and Leeds to be in such a rich vein of form.

Teams will not be looking forward to playing Leeds. The sight of seven players running full speed at 95 minutes on the clock will make many a defender look to the sky and wonder where they get that effort from.

A word too for their efforts as a squad to make sure children who need food through these troubled times will get something. The £25,000 they donated is to be applauded too.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

ANDY RHODES

After six games and a 50 per cent win ratio, I think it’s fair to say that Leeds are at home in the Premier League.

With Villa themselves on a 100 per cent record, you could be forgiven for expecting a tight game.

But since Marcelo Bielsa took charge, United have got used to upsetting the apple cart on a regular basis.

The all-round performance was excellent, with the team attacking and defending in numbers from start to finish, just as they did in the Championship last season.

Without Patrick Bamford, the result might have been very different. A return of six goals in six games has established him as a true top-flight striker, while Illan Meslier is playing like a seasoned pro.

The praise that the side are getting from the pundits is also quite telling.

To us it’s no surprise that Leeds are holding their own in the top division, but United are catching the eye.

More results like this and the league will really start to take notice.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

MIKE GILL

We all knew that the reality check had to come some time. For Aston Villa that is!

A magnificent performance from the Whites just blew the Villains away.

Although United attacked well in the first half, their defence was superb. Luke Ayling played in the middle as if it was the norm. Illan Meslier saved the day also and if any other keeper in the Premier League has better distribution then I’d like to meet him.

Pascal Struijk was having a good game until he had to be withdrawn for indiscipline but remember Kalvin Phillips’ early days under Marcelo Bielsa. Struijk will learn.

Bielsa showed his good judgement and steely determination when he called Struijk back after only 20 minutes.

Jack Grealish is a skilful player but would rival Sir Lawrence Olivier in the acting stakes and it takes maturity as well as endeavour to mark him.

The second half belonged to Patrick Bamford and the other 10 men who provided him with the opportunities.

Just wonderful.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

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