Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds United

Aston Villa shared the spoils with Leeds United after a pulsating 3-3 draw at Villa Park.

The hosts, inspired by Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho, edged a breathless five-goal first half which saw Villa come from behind to lead at the interval.

Daniel James fired the visitors ahead and then came close to a second as he struck the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area, before the Villans turned the game on its head with three goals in 13 minutes.

Coutinho registered his second goal in three games with a smart turn and finish on the half hour, before twice turning provider for Ramsey to bag a brace.

The Brazil international showed sublime vision to send clear Villa’s Academy graduate to make it 2-1, before claiming another assist shortly afterwards as Ramsey showed his quality to slam into the top corner and register his fifth goal of the season.

James completed the first-half scoring when he headed in from close range in injury time, and it was Leeds who scored the only goal of the second period in the 63^rd minute as Diego Llorente lashed home from close range to ensure it finished honours even.

But there was still further drama to come as Villa finished the game with 10 men after Ezri Konsa saw red late on for a second bookable offence.

Steven Gerrard named an unchanged starting line-up, keeping faith with the same XI who started the club’s 1-0 victory at Everton in late January prior to the break.

Tyrone Mings came close to heading Villa in front from a corner inside the second minute.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring early on as Rodrigo fed James and he slotted across Emi Martinéz from inside the penalty area.

Lucas Digne made a super headed clearance to deny an onrushing Rodrigo in the 19^th minute, before Mings headed wide from the left-back’s corner midway through the first half.

James rattled the crossbar from 20 yards just before the half-hour mark, yet Villa were level just moments later.

Matty Cash’s low right-wing cross found Coutinho inside the box, he took a touch and turned neatly before firing right-footed beyond Illan Meslier and into the bottom corner.

Coutinho then became provider eight minutes later as he turned Luke Ayling near the halfway line and sent clear Ramsey, who raced through and slotted left-footed past Meslier.

And it was déjà vu moments later as Coutinho again found Ramsey in space and he lashed into the top corner with a well-taken finish to send Villa into a 3-1 lead.

But just one goal separated the two sides at the interval as Robin Klich’s backheel found Rodrigo, his cross deflected off Douglas Luiz and James rose highest to head in from on the goal-line.

Ollie Watkins came within inches of connecting with Digne’s drilled ball across the face of goal early in the second period.

Emi Buendía, having enjoyed another impressive game, hobbled off just before the hour, replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka.

Mings then came to Villa’s rescue, clearing off the line from Pascal Struijk before clearing away danger.

But, from the subsequent corner, the ball broke for Llorente and he smashed into the net from six yards to level matters.

Martínez stood firm to save from Mateusz Klich in the 74^th minute as both sides pushed for a winner.

Ashley Young replaced Coutinho before Konsa was given his marching orders for a second yellow card after catching Meslier with a flailing arm, Calum Chambers subsequently introduced for his Villa debut. 

And despite eight minutes added time, neither side could find a winner as a dramatic encounter ended 3-3.