Leeds United boss Daniel Farke vows to stay calm despite drop into relegation zone with Aston Villa loss

Farke was pleased with many aspects of the Whites' play in their narrow 2-1 home defeat to in-form Aston Villa, but understood fans' frustration at a fifth loss in the last six matches which has seen United drop into the relegation zone.

When asked about if he was worried about his job security with some supporters showing their discontent, he said: “I don't think one second about it. It's not something I'm worried about.

“This is probably the most passionate club in Western Europe. We've played the best season in the history of the club last season, winning the title, the second promotion in the last 25 years and each and every day there was still criticism and questions on style of play. This is what you get when you work for Leeds United.

“If I would dwell in a tough run of results I wouldn't be the right manager for Leeds United. I have to lead this group and make sure they don't lose confidence and bravery.

“We were not scared to make mistakes, we were not hiding, we were brave and went for it. This is how I want them to play, not like at Brighton or Forest.

“We're not perfect but we go for it. It's a hard working, very honest club. I worry that we defend a bit better, especially on our left flank. If you always have to score three or four to win it'll be difficult. This is my only worry and nothing else."

Farke added: "I was not really happy in the last away games but this was Leeds United as I want us to be.

“How we want to be brave, aggressive, with confidence, good in the pressing, good in the counter pressing, aggressive with the ball, aggressive on the transition moments.

"We deserved to go in the lead. We gave away very little, but the two decisive moments, we were also unfortunate with some decisions but could have done better with our left side for both goals.

“We concede a few too many from our left side and this shouldn't happen. So 47th minute, we're not tired, it was a dead ball situation, we should have organised better instead of being overplayed and allowing a cutback situation."

Leeds made the start they needed as they went ahead just seven minutes into the game. Sean Longstaff's free-kick was kept in play round the back by Gabiel Gudmundsson and Anton Stach outjumped Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.

His header was cleared off the line by Ezri Konsa, but he only succeeded in hitting the ball straight at Lukas Nmecha with the ball rebounding into the net.

There was clearly an element of fortune about the goal, not least because Gudmundsson was only just onside, according to VAR, who took three minutes to make a decision.

But that was the last real luck the Whites had in the match as they later had a goal chalked off by VAR and were on the wrong end of some poor officiating from Rob Jones and one of his linesmen.

Emiliano Buendia sent a free-kick harmlessly over as Villa offered their first real threat before Brenden Aaronson went much closer at the other end with a near post volley that went into the side netting following Nmecha's cross.

England striker Ollie Watkins headed wide for the visitors, but the first half was a bit too stop-start with lengthy delays, including treatment for Stach who did not recover from his collision with Martinez on the opening goal.

Martinez was not great on the goal, but made up for it with some good saves, firstly when Aaronson's shot through a crowded area was kept out low down.

Matty Cash and Watkins both hit shots wide before the first half ended with United on a slightly uneasy one-goal lead.

It took Villa just two minutes of the second half to equalise when substitute Donyell Malen's cross was cleverly flicked home by another England player, Morgan Rogers.

Leeds' response was good as Aaronson went on a good run only for his shot to be blocked and Longstaff shot wide when well placed.

The game was more open now and Villa threatened as Watkins' angled shot was kept out by home keeper Lucas Perri, who could not hold onto the ball and had to hoof it clear.

John McGinn sent a curling effort narrowly over and it was not a surprise that the visitors scored a second goal. The manner of it was hugely disappointing for Leeds, however.

Rogers only chipped his free-kick over the home wall, but Perri did not react and watched the ball drop into his net.

The response appeared swift as the Whites went straight up the other end and substitute Dan James raced onto a long ball to put in a dangerous cross-shot that ended up in the back of the net.

Unfortunately for the hosts it went into the net accidentally brushing Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hand so VAR disallowed the goal.

On such narrow margins points can be decided and although United huffed a puffed, roared on by the home crowd, they were unable to snatch a late equaliser.

Calvert-Lewin sent a header over and James shot well over, but the best chance fell to Pascal Struijk – who had a decent game on his return to the side – only for his downward header to be superbly saved by Martinez.

All the statistics pointed to an even game – apart from the booking count that made no sense – but Leeds had narrowly lost again and with their next three games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool it looks highly likely things will get worse before they get better.

Leeds United 1

(Nmecha 7)

Aston Villa 2

(Rogers 47, 75)

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Premier League

Attendance: 36,819

Leeds: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Longstaff, Stach (Tanaka 22, James 71); Aaronson (Piroe 79), Okafor (Gnonto 79); Nmecha (Calvert-Lewin 71).

Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne (Maatsen 45); Kamara, Tielemans (Bogarde 84); McGinn (Barkley 68), Rogers, Buendia (Malen 45); Watkins (Sancho 68).

Referee: Robert Jones