Leeds United did all they could on Saturday against Aston Villa, but were undone by a late goal as they only picked up a point. It was another huge step the club took towards safety in the Premier League.
From the first whistle, Leeds managed to make the game as uncomfortable as possible for the hosts. They pressed them at a high intensity to stop them from receiving the ball in dangerous areas. Daniel Farke tactically outclassed Unai Emery for most of the 90 minutes.
Villa resorted to crosses into the box and relied heavily on setpieces before they got their breakthrough. Tammy Abraham’s luck shined as he managed to score a goal using his knee from a corner.
Karl Darlow proves Daniel Farke’s decision right after Villa game
Leeds had kept out the home side all game; and it was not only Farke’s tactics – Karl Darlow was a big reason for the draw. In the first half, he pulled off a crucial double save to keep the game in the balance. The Welsh international continues to prove to Daniel Farke that he was right to keep him in goal. On Saturday, he made three key saves and was dominant in the air, commanding his box during set pieces.
| Goalkeeper | Games | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | GC/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Perri | 17 | 30 | 3 | 1.76 |
| Karl Darlow | 13 | 19 | 1 | 1.46 |
Last season, when Illan Meslier was committing errors at a crucial stage of the season, it was Karl Darlow who was called upon to steady the ship. The veteran has now been relied upon again after Farke’s criticism of Lucas Perri. And looking at the results, it looks like the Leeds boss has made the right decision.
Lucas Perri facing uncertain future at the club
Lucas Perri arrived as a marquee signing – he is one of the most expensive players in the club’s history. He started out well, but after his injury and absence from the team, things did not go well. Perri returning in the middle of the season was not pleasant to watch, he kept making basic errors which Daniel Farke even called out in the press.
If Karl Darlow continues in this form, and Leeds manage to stay up, there will be serious questions about Perri’s future. Reports have already suggested that the club is ready to move on, but the Brazilian will be hoping to get a second chance as the season progresses.
