Leeds held on for a vital Premier League point after Luis Sinisterra was sent off at Elland Road in an ill-tempered goalless draw against Aston Villa on Sunday (2 October).
Colombia winger Sinisterra was dismissed early in the second half after failing to retreat from a free kick and earning a second yellow card. Villa created the better chances after Leeds went down to 10 men and went closest to a winner when Phillippe Coutinho’s volley hit a post and Ollie Watkins headed the rebound wide. But the game was dominated by both sides’ insistence on winning the physical battle, with referee Stuart Attwell booking six other players as he struggled to retain control.
Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rodrigo were all booked by Attwell, as was Villa debutant Ludwig Augustinsson, during a first half lacking in goalmouth action but not full-blooded endeavour. Sinisterra, Robin Koch, and Villa’s Leon Bailey received yellow cards in the second period. Leeds were then reduced to 10 men three minutes after the restart, when Douglas Luiz attempted to play a quick free kick, the ball struck Sinisterra’s outstretched leg, and Attwell booked the forward a second time for not retreating. The home fans let out a huge roar at the final whistle after their side had hung on, with resounding chants of “You’re not fit to referee,” directed at Attwell.
Re-live all the action and updates from the game in the live blog below:
