Luke Ayling’s integral role at the heart of Leeds United’s dressing room was underlined on Friday evening.
While the former Arsenal defender is 29-years-old and vice-captain, there was a sense of a step forward for Ayling playing in central defence.
Not only was Ayling shifted out of his natural right-back role, he was moved not to the near side of central defence, but to the left and out of his comfort zone.
In an empty Villa Park you could clearly hear all of the shouts and directions coming from the stand-in captain. He was guiding everyone around him.
The goal-line clearance will make the headlines, but all night Ayling’s positioning, heading, tackling, blocks and interceptions were flawless.
Ollie Watkins was left scratching his head.
After the game, head coach Marcelo Bielsa underlined exactly where Ayling’s role is at now. It is beyond doing his own job, he is a leader on the field and off it.
“He was quick, he was agile,” said Bielsa. “He defended well, he headed well. He used the ball well and he transmitted serenity to the rest of the team.”
