Ref piles on strike misery

Two goals in nine League games since the turn of the year is a miserable return by any standards. although Villa have justification for claiming they were denied a perfectly legitimate strike at Elland Road.

Comeback boy Dalian Atkinson latched onto Garry Parker’s 25th minute slide rule pass, shrugged off a Chris Fairclough challenge and stroked the ball beyond John Lukic.

It was a sweet piece of finishing which carried all the hallmarks of a £1.6m player, but referee Phillip Wright rather harshly rules that Atkinson had pushed Fairclough.

Then Mr Wright awarded Leeds a 58th minute penalty.

Even the two managers were not sure whether Mark Blake was punished for handball or for his challenge on Gary McAllister.

Either way it didn’t matter, for back in favour Nigel Spink crowned an outstanding return to senior duty by saving Gordon Strachan's weakly-hit penalty.

There were other Villa aspects to admire, too, like the towering defensive qualities of Paul McGrath and Shaun Teale. Parker's precision passes provided the classiest moments. though All Villa need now is a goal or two.