Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch says 'most complete' performance was a benchmark despite Aston Villa defeat

The American was right to point to how well his team played but – thanks in no small part to some good work by Aston Villa – they failed to take their chances and gave the hosts a headstart with some sloppy defending from their own corner.

The net result was that Leeds lost 2-1, and have now won just two of 17 matches. Marsch preferred to use November's game against Liverpool as the reference point, in which case Leeds only won the first two of nine matches.

Marsch's message, though, was that if his team can replicate their performance at Villa Park, more wins will inevitably follow.

"In our sport sometimes you can be on top of the match and lose," said Marsch at full-time.

"This is for me our most complete performance we've had since I've been here and the best example of the way I believe the team can play.

"There's obvious frustration from the fact we lose the points when we play well but now we have something to attach ourselves to and a benchmark for how good we can be. This has been our best away match for sure since I've been here and for me our most complete match.

"I'm in a positive place with our group, I'm really happy to see so many of them commit to the things we want, to play brave with confidence and belief and now we need to continue on this path and even get better."

There were sporadic chants of "Marsch out" from the away end and boos when the coach went over to acknowledge the travelling supporters at the final whistle.

"Of course the fans are disappointed we don't get the points but I think anybody who watches that game knows that was a good performance and a good team.

"When team doesn't and things aren't going as well as we would like the coach is always going to take the heat but I can handle that and focus is entirely on what we're trying to achieve with this team and I thought it was a big step in the right direction.

"Everybody's frustrated but I would have expected an appreciation for the way the team played.

"I'm focused entirely on our team and I understand the pressures that come with the expectations for a club like Leeds United.

"I accept it but I'm more positive than I've ever been since I've been here."

Patrick Bamford scored his 100th Premier League goal, an important milestone for him, particularly as his 99th was in December 2021.

But by then Emi Buendia's header had added to Leon Bailey's opening goal, and it was no more than a consolation with his side unable to build on it in the 13 minutes, including stoppage time, that were left.

Villa manager Unai Emery was delighted with another three points for a team whose fortunes have improved massively since he took over in October.

"In the first half we were a little bit happy but confused becaise we weren't playing very well and we had fewer chances than we expected," he said.

"They have fast players attacking our box and they are so, so direct.

"We didn't control the first half but the second half we reacted very well. We tried to keep the ball longer and that was the key for us because we had spaces to attack and created chances to score."