Aston Villa held by 10-man Leeds in ill-tempered stalemate

Winger Luis Sinisterra sent off at Elland Road as manager Jesse Marsch watches from stands

Leeds United's Luis Sinisterra is shown a red card by referee Stuart Attwell during the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Elland Road on October 2. Action Images

Luis Sinisterra after his red card. Getty

Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia reacts. Action Images

Aston Villa's Jan Bednarek, left, and Leeds United's Patrick Bamford battle for the ball. PA

Villa manager Steven Gerrard applauds fans after the match. Action Images

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa has a shot saved by Illan Meslier. Getty

Leeds United's Pascal Struijk applauds fans after the match. Reuters

Leeds United's Illan Meslier after the match. Action Images

Steven Gerrard, manager of Aston Villa, at the final whistle. Getty

Leeds held on for a point after Luis Sinisterra was controversially sent off at Elland Road in an ill-tempered goalless draw against Aston Villa.

Colombia winger Sinisterra was dismissed early in the second half after failing to retreat from a free-kick and earning a second yellow card.

Villa created the better chances after Leeds went down to 10 men and went closest to a winner when Philippe Coutinho’s volley hit a post and Ollie Watkins headed the rebound wide.

But the game was dominated by both side’s insistence on winning the physical battle, with referee Stuart Attwell booking six other players as he struggled to retain control.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch watched from up in the gantry after his dismissal in his side’s last game at Brentford four weeks ago.

The American will have approved of his players’ commitment, but both sides stepped too close to the line and he will have bristled at the manner of Sinisterra’s needless dismissal.

Sinisterra, Marc Roca and Rodrigo were all booked by Atwell, as well as Villa debutant Ludwig Augustinsson, during a first half lacking in goalmouth action but not full-blooded endeavour.

Sinisterra and Robin Koch plus Villa’s Leon Bailey received yellow cards in the second period.

Goalscoring chances were in short supply as the first half unfolded. Meslier held shots from Watkins and Coutinho and John McGinn’s 25-metre effort was deflected wide.

The best move before the break belonged to Leeds and ended in Sinisterra flashing in a cross which evaded everyone on the edge of the six-yard box.

Leeds were reduced to 10 men three minutes after the restart.

When Douglas Luiz tried to play a quick free-kick, the ball struck Sinisterra’s outstretched leg and Attwell booked the forward a second time for not retreating.

As Leeds fans vented their fury on Attwell, Villa threatened to take swift advantage, striking a post through Coutinho’s volley before Watkins headed the rebound wide.

Leeds were in danger of imploding when defender Koch took out McGinn and the German was grateful for just a talking to by Attwell.

The home side sent on Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling with just over 20 minutes to go and their fresh legs gave Leeds a boost as Villa probed for the breakthrough.

Villa substitute Emiliano Buendia’s curling effort and Watkins’ low angled drive narrowly missed the mark, but Bamford lifted Leeds when he forced Emiliano Martinez into a diving save.

Watkins was denied by the on-rushing Meslier in the closing stages and at the other end McGinn produced a brilliant last-gasp tackle on Leeds substitute Mateusz Klich after Bamford’s gallop into the box.

The home fans let out a huge roar at the final whistle after their side had hung on, with resounding chants of “you’re not fit to referee” directed at Attwell.