Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United were denied a fourth straight win as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Villa Park last night.
Pontus Jansson put the Whites ahead on 53 minutes from a corner, but the Villains eventually stole a point at the death as Jonathan Kodjia sent ‘keeper Robert Green the wrong way from the spot after 84 minutes.
The hosts applied the early pressure and almost had themselves ahead but Kodjia’s long-range effort was saved superbly by Green.
Leeds then had a chance of their own on seven minutes but Souleymane Doukara was unable to get a shot away after bringing down a long ball.
As the half grew old, chances began to become limited but with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining Villa had another effort denied as Green managed to tip Jordan Ayew’s curling freekick.
The hosts were forced to lose midfielder Jack Grealish just five minutes into the second half. The young player went down holding his hamstring before the interva,l but continued to play partway through the second half before being taken off for Ross McCormack.
Leeds eventually went ahead on 54 minutes against the run of play. Jansson lost his marker in a crowded box and managed to direct a powerful header past Mark Bunn.
Just two minutes later the Whites almost doubled the lead but Jansson’s half-volley smashed into the crossbar.
With just six minutes remaining the Villains had loud calls for a penalty as Liam Cooper handled the ball and, after the referee checked with his assistant, the man in black pointed to the spot – granting the hosts a lifeline and chance to continue their unbeaten run at home.
Kodjia stepped up and made Villa Park erupt into a cauldron of noise as he sent Green the wrong way from twelve yards with four minutes left.
Hadi Sacko almost put the Whites back in front extremely late on but, after skipping past the defender, he was unable to maintain his composure when he became one-on-one and his effort was deflected onto the bar.
The Whites had even more chances to get an added-time winner but it was not to be as Steve Bruce’s Villa side remained unbeaten at home.
