​Aston Villa stretched their unbeaten run into double figures against Leeds at Villa Park on Saturday but it was a touch and go operation.

In the match which often suggested that the teams could have gone on slogging away at each other until Christmas without scoring, Villa lasted slightly the better to hang on to a goalless draw.

It was their sixth game of the season which has not produced a goal, and it must be said that watching this young, keen side trying so hard to establish themselves in the First Division, can be hard work.

In the end, honour was probably satisfied on both sides, but Villa were left with a painful reminder that in the 38th minute they had squandered a penalty award which should have pointed the way to victory over opponents who are going through a shaky patch.

When Swain was pulled down in the corner of the Leeds box by Stevenson, Evans's shot from the spot was not well aimed and Lukic was able to divert it over the crossbar.

Lukic, who is only 18 and getting his chance because of an injury to Harvey, was indeed a key figure in earning his side their valuable point.

His manager Jimmy Adamson admitted: "He kept us alive in the first halt and we looked more compact in midfield after that. He is playing even better now than he did in our youth team."

Ron Saunders, Villa's manager, threw in a tribute to Lukic's performance, but pointed out : "We had three or four good chances but didn't put them in."

Frustration

"When we missed the penalty I got the feeling that it was going to be one of those days because Leeds were competing well and we were too often standing off and letting them play.

"But, in the end, despite all the frustration, we were good value for a point. The difference was that this was the kind of game we would probably have lost last season."

There were good saves by Villa's Rimmer, too, particularly in the second half as Leeds, scenting the chance of a rare away win, pounced on some wayward Villa passing.

But with only 20 seconds left on referee Toseland's watch, Villa should have sneaked both the points when Shaw foraged well down the left wing and tipped over a short, high ball.

Geddis, still looking for his first goal for the club in his 12th appearance, Was unmarked but headed wide.