Leeds Utd - 0 Aston Villa - 0 The days immediately after Christmas are traditionally a time for taking things back, items that do not fit or are just plain unacceptable. Sadly for the 38,000-odd here, they will never be able to get these 90 minutes back, not even with a valid receipt. An afternoon that was meant to be about spice, bile and personality clashes - well, David O'Leary was making his first return to Elland Road - turned out just bland.
No goals, no real football of notable flow, not even O'Leary's presence could provoke malevolence from Leeds fans, disgruntled at his part in their demise. Not a smidgen of ire was in evidence, but then again O'Leary and his counterpart Eddie Gray did not have much to discuss either, certainly not what each had just witnessed. Both were relatively happy with a point, but the neutral left a game in which the first serious shot on target came in the 81st minute from Alan Smith feeling a lack of seasonal brotherhood.
"Didn't think it was much of a game," were Gray's first words. "We can play a lot better," were O'Leary's. Villa's manager then referred to the good reception he received: "I never had any doubt, the crowd here didn't drive me out." Once the match started it became apparent quickly that this was going to be a long afternoon. Leeds, who extended their unbeaten run to five games, showed limited ambition in playing Mark Viduka on his own up front. Viduka did not have a single shot.
Smith was just behind but, after a 12th-minute booking, Smith played the rest of the match on the edge of a red card. There were a couple of occasions when it seemed the referee Steve Bennett might produce it.
But Bennett never struck as a man in control of the play. He did disallow two goals - one from Juan Pablo Angel for handball, the other from Michael Duberry for offside - but the linesman assisted each time. When it came for a big call in the 64th minute - the debutant Matthew Kilgallon shoving Stefan Moore to the floor in the Leeds area - Bennett waved play on.
The best chance of the day fell to James Milner on the half hour. Leeds had pussyfooted around at the back forcing Paul Robinson to launch the ball upfield with urgency. The clearance flew over Olof Mellberg and Milner was one on one with Thomas Sorensen. Milner is a composed teenager but even he fluffed his shot.
Villa, one defeat in seven, now entertain Fulham tomorrow. Leeds are also in the Midlands, at Wolves. It is bottom versus second-bottom and Leeds need a victory. The midlands of the Premiership is their aim.
LEEDS UNITED: Robinson, Kelly, Duberry, Kilgallon, Harte, Pennant (Lennon 73), Smith, Batty, Matteo (Bakke 64), Milner, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Carson, Sakho, McPhail.
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie (Vassell 66), Barry, McCann, Whittingham, Angel, Moore (Hitzlsperger 66). Subs Not Used: Postma, De la Cruz, Johnsen. Booked: Dublin, Whittingham.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
