📝 Bamford hat-trick helps Leeds catapult up to third | OneFootball

A classy hat-trick from Patrick Bamford inspired Leeds United to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, moving Marcelo Bielsa’s side up to third in the Premier League.

Scorers: Bamford 55′, 67′, 74′.

Aston Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Jack Grealish’s shot beat Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal, only for Luke Ayling to clear the ball off the line.

Meslier then pulled off a wonderful one handed save to deny Ezri Konsa’s well-hit volley at the start of the second half.

The visitors then took the game away from Villa in the space of 20 minutes thanks to an inspired Patrick Bamford.

The 27-year-old reacted fastest to turn home from close range to put Leeds 1-0 up after Emi Martínez had parried Rodrigo Moreno’s shot back across goal.

His second was a powerful left-footed drive from the edge of the box before he completed his hat-trick with a composed finish into the top corner after escaping three Aston Villa defenders.

Dean Smith’s men remain in second in the table after tasting their first defeat of the season.