Leeds 0-0 Aston Villa: Marsch's side battle for point at Elland Road after Sinisterra red
Leeds held on for a point after Luis Sinisterra was controversially sent off at Elland Road in a moody goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Colombia winger Sinisterra was sent off early in the second half after failing to retreat from a free kick and picking up a second yellow card.
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Villa created the better chances after Leeds fell to 10 men and closed in on a winner when Phillippe Coutinho's volley hit a post and Ollie Watkins headed the rebound wide.
But the match was dominated by both teams' insistence on winning the physical battle, with referee Stuart Attwell booking six more players as he struggled to maintain control.
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch watched from the top of the gantry after he was dismissed in his side's last game at Brentford four weeks ago.
The American will have approved his players' commitment, but both sides have come too close to the line and he will have bristled in the way of Sinisterra's unnecessary dismissal.
Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rodrigo were all cautioned by Atwell, along with Villa debutant Ludwig Augustinsson, in a first half with no goal-scoring action but no out-and-out effort.
Sinisterra and Robin Koch as well as Villa's Leon Bailey received yellow cards in the second half.
Scoring chances were rare in the first half. Meslier held off shots from Watkins and Coutinho and John McGinn's 25-yard effort was wide deflected.
The best move before the break belonged to Leeds and ended with Sinisterra flashing a cross that eluded everyone at the edge of the penalty area.
Leeds were down to 10 men three minutes after the restart.
When Douglas Luiz attempted to play a quick free kick, the ball hit Sinisterra's outstretched leg and Attwell booked the striker a second time not to retreat.
As Leeds fans poured out their fury on Attwell, Villa threatened to take an early lead, hitting a post through Coutinho's volley before Watkins headed the rebound wide.
Leeds were in danger of imploding when defender Koch knocked out McGinn and the German was grateful he just talked to Attwell.
The home side dispatched Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling with just over 20 minutes to go and their fresh legs gave Leeds a boost as Villa probed the breakthrough.
Villa substitute Emiliano Buendia's curling effort and Watkins' low-angle drive narrowly missed the mark, but Bamford lifted Leeds when he forced Emiliano Martinez into a diving save.
p>Watkins was denied by rushing Meslier in the closing stages and at the other end McGinn produced a brilliant last-minute tackle on Leeds substitute Mateusz Klich after Bamford galloped into the box.
The home fans let out a huge roar at the final whistle after their side hung on, with resounding chants of "you're not fit to referee" directed at Attwell.
Leeds held on for a point after Luis Sinisterra was controversially sent off at Elland Road in a moody goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Colombia winger Sinisterra was sent off early in the second half after failing to retreat from a free kick and picking up a second yellow card.
READ MORE: 16 conclusions as Manchester City flatter Manchester United by beating them just 6-3
Villa created the better chances after Leeds fell to 10 men and closed in on a winner when Phillippe Coutinho's volley hit a post and Ollie Watkins headed the rebound wide.
But the match was dominated by both teams' insistence on winning the physical battle, with referee Stuart Attwell booking six more players as he struggled to maintain control.
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch watched from the top of the gantry after he was dismissed in his side's last game at Brentford four weeks ago.
The American will have approved his players' commitment, but both sides have come too close to the line and he will have bristled in the way of Sinisterra's unnecessary dismissal.
Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rodrigo were all cautioned by Atwell, along with Villa debutant Ludwig Augustinsson, in a first half with no goal-scoring action but no out-and-out effort.
Sinisterra and Robin Koch as well as Villa's Leon Bailey received yellow cards in the second half.
Scoring chances were rare in the first half. Meslier held off shots from Watkins and Coutinho and John McGinn's 25-yard effort was wide deflected.
The best move before the break belonged to Leeds and ended with Sinisterra flashing a cross that eluded everyone at the edge of the penalty area.
Leeds were down to 10 men three minutes after the restart.
When Douglas Luiz attempted to play a quick free kick, the ball hit Sinisterra's outstretched leg and Attwell booked the striker a second time not to retreat.
As Leeds fans poured out their fury on Attwell, Villa threatened to take an early lead, hitting a post through Coutinho's volley before Watkins headed the rebound wide.
Leeds were in danger of imploding when defender Koch knocked out McGinn and the German was grateful he just talked to Attwell.
The home side dispatched Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling with just over 20 minutes to go and their fresh legs gave Leeds a boost as Villa probed the breakthrough.
Villa substitute Emiliano Buendia's curling effort and Watkins' low-angle drive narrowly missed the mark, but Bamford lifted Leeds when he forced Emiliano Martinez into a diving save.
p>Watkins was denied by rushing Meslier in the closing stages and at the other end McGinn produced a brilliant last-minute tackle on Leeds substitute Mateusz Klich after Bamford galloped into the box.
The home fans let out a huge roar at the final whistle after their side hung on, with resounding chants of "you're not fit to referee" directed at Attwell.
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