Morgan Rogers' second-half brace, including a stunning free-kick winner, propelled Aston Villa to a 2-1 comeback triumph over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Rogers had only netted one Premier League goal this campaign ahead of Sunday’s clash, but the England international rediscovered his fine form from 2024/25 to lead Unai Emery’s team to victory.
Leeds had taken the lead early on when Lukas Nmecha's strike survived a VAR check, though Rogers restored parity three minutes into the second half with a delicate flicked finish.
And with 15 minutes remaining, Rogers stepped up to send a dipping free-kick beyond Lucas Perri from 20 yards out, sealing just a second away win this season for Villa.
They climb to fourth in the table, five points adrift of Arsenal ahead of the leaders' north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds, meanwhile, stay down in 17th.
How the match unfolded
Nmecha bundled Leeds into an eighth-minute lead after Sean Longstaff’s free-kick caused chaos inside Villa's penalty area, with the goal confirmed after a VAR check for a possible foul on Emiliano Martinez and a potential offside against Gabriel Gudmundsson.
A raucous home crowd got behind Leeds, and they almost doubled their lead soon after, but Brenden Aaronson could only find the side netting from Nmecha's cross. Aaronson also went close to making it 2-0 when his shot through a crowd of bodies was thwarted by an excellent Martinez save.
Villa hauled themselves level in the 48th minute, when a low cross by half-time substitute Donyell Malen was brilliantly flicked into the bottom-left corner by Rogers.
Another Villa substitute played a vital role in their winning goal, with Ross Barkley being fouled by Pascal Struijk, allowing Rogers to step up and send the resulting free-kick into the roof of the net.
Leeds thought they had an immediate equaliser when Dan James' cross-shot deflected in off fellow substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but following a VAR review, it was ruled the striker had knocked the ball in with his hand, and the hosts' late pressure amounted to nothing.
Rogers delivers after extending Villa stay
During the November international break, Rogers extended his stay at Villa Park until 2031. He is one of three recent contract renewals, along with those of John McGinn and Matty Cash, to boost the mood further after Villa's recent upturn in form.
Ahead of kick-off, Emery urged his team to improve their away form, having only won one of their five matches on the road this season, and in a hostile environment at Elland Road, two moments of individual brilliance from Rogers got them over the line.
The visitors were unable to resist the wave of pressure applied by Leeds in the opening period, with Nmecha's opener deserved, and they could have found themselves further behind had Aaronson been more accurate from a tight angle.
A scuffed Cash effort represented Villa’s best opportunity in the first half, but Emery introduced Ian Maatsen and Malen at the break, with the Spaniard’s substitutions proving pivotal in turning the game around.
Malen made an instant impact by teeing up Rogers to score, and Villa generally looked more lively with the Dutchman in attack as Ollie Watkins, who had been quiet for most of the contest, forced Perri into a smart stop soon afterwards.
Barkley then won the free-kick that led to Rogers’ winner, and Villa were able to hold out to make it six wins from their last seven Premier League games, with a clash against rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers up next on 30 November.
Leeds fade after fast start
After seeing Nottingham Forest stun Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday and West Ham United earn a point away to AFC Bournemouth, Leeds knew the importance of a result here, but they were unable to capitalise on their electric start.
Nmecha's early finish rewarded their intense approach, with Jayden Bogle proving an effective outlet down the right-hand side as his cross was flicked narrowly wide. However, Leeds suffered a blow when Anton Stach was withdrawn due to injury in the 23rd minute.
After the two first-half chances for Aaronson at 1-0, Daniel Farke’s team failed to regularly threaten the Villa goal as the visitors' improved second-half display left them scrambling.
Calvert-Lewin thought he had drawn Leeds level two minutes after Rogers' free-kick, but replays showed he had clearly touched the ball with his hand, and the hosts then had Struijk's late header impressively repelled by Martinez.
Leeds will face a stern test when they attempt to return to winning ways next Saturday, away to Manchester City.
Club reports
What the managers said
Daniel Farke: "Over the course of 38 games you have ups and downs. It happens sometimes at this level. Performance-wise, I was happy. At the moment we are in a period where things are going against us.
"Of course the fans are unhappy and disappointed once we lose games. I don't want them to have a different reaction. I want them to feel like the world is falling apart when we lose a game, otherwise, you can't be a Leeds United supporter."
Unai Emery: "Leeds United, eh. First half we struggled, they deserved the first half. We weren't dominating and competing like we did in the second half. Leeds were playing fantastically. Second half we changed some things. They tired in the second half and we dominated the ball more. We scored quick and that helped us a lot.
"It was key to equalise the match and then it continued. We had chances to get the second goal and we did. Then they had some chances. We are happy because this match was a challenge. I am so, so happy for the players."
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Key facts
Rogers became just the second Villa player to score a brace at Elland Road in the Premier League, after Gareth Southgate in January 2000.
Leeds remain winless across their last six Premier League games against Villa (D2 L4), only once enduring a longer winless run in the league against the Villans between December 1930 and April 1935 (eight games).
This was just the fourth time that Leeds had lost a home Premier League match during which they were winning at half-time, after August 1994 (v Chelsea), December 2002 (v Charlton Athletic) and September 2021 (v West Ham United).
Including Nmecha's opener in this game, Leeds have now scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games than any other side this season (four).