Ian Wright claims Aston Villa were 'brilliant' v Leeds

Ian Wright has said that he thought the way Aston Villa set themselves up in the 1-0 win against Leeds United was "brilliant". 

Villa scored early in the Premier League clash on Saturday and then stifled Leeds successfully, with very few chances recorded by Bielsa's men.

Talking on the Optus Sport Weekend Review, Wright addressed the fact that Leeds fans hit out after the game and claimed Villa came to play a negative game of football.

"I was reading Leeds fans were disappointed that Aston Villa came and were resolute in their defending," Wright said.

"I thought it was brilliant defending. They were disappointed that Villa went there and weren’t more open.

"But why would you? Why would you when you know what Leeds can do? It was brilliant from Villa, especially as they were without Jack Grealish."

Wrighty off the mark

Wrighty makes a good point but he misses out on a few others.

Aston Villa are one season ahead of Leeds in terms of being back in the Premier League.

They're being tipped for Europe and they've had more money spent on their squad.

If they have to come and play like that against a newly-promoted club then it's a huge tribute to Leeds.

We also don't think negative football should be called "brilliant". Effective maybe.

As tight as Aston Villa were, Leeds were very poor, and missing Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo, two players who can pull the strings and unlock defences.

To be fair, Villa got a taste of what Leeds can do at Villa Park when they were dismantled by a fantastic performance from Rodrigo.

But we know how we want to play football and we know what the vast majority of football fans want to see.

It's not the Dean Smith brand.

In other Leeds United news, 'There are clauses' – Phil Hay makes claim about Raphinha deal, calls Leeds transfer 'very odd'