Image source, Getty Images

Leon Bailey had a hand in both goals as Aston Villa started the Premier League weekend with victory over a slightly unlucky Leeds.

The Jamaican winger finished off a quick counter-attack after a great run by Boubacar Kamara in just the third minute to put the hosts ahead.

That was Villa's only shot in the first half, with Leeds having two penalty appeals rejected, a Rodrigo goal disallowed for offside and missing big chances.

Villa debutant Alex Moreno denied Rodrigo with a goalline clearance and keeper Emiliano Martinez pulled off a wonderful reaction stop to deny Jack Harrison from close range.

Unai Emery's hosts were better in the second half and they got the goal to make them more comfortable - thanks to the video assistant referee.

Bailey's shot was saved by Illan Meslier with Emiliano Buendia heading the rebound over the grounded goalkeeper.

The goal was ruled out for offside but the VAR told referee Michael Oliver that Buendia was clearly onside - and it was given.

Leeds were given hope in the final 10 minutes though when Wilfried Gnonto cut the ball back for Patrick Bamford, making his return after two-and-a-half months out with a groin injury, to slam home.

But they could not find an equaliser and remain only two points above the relegation zone, with Villa eight points further up the table in 11th.

It was not a perfect night for Villa, who lost left-back Lucas Digne and striker Ollie Watkins to injury in the first half.

Read the full report here

That's all from us for tonight but it is a huge weekend of Premier League football with big games at the top and bottom of the table.

It is all begins with the Manchester derby at 12:30 GMT, so join us for live coverage of that, while I'll leave you with Emlyn Begley's report from tonight's game.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Sport: "We struggled in the first half and in the second half we played better. It was difficult for us to play through the press. We needed to control the game more and trying to do ball possession longer.

"It was important to score the second goal because they were playing well to try and score and they did. It was important to have the advantage of the two goals to close the match and get the three points.

"It is no surprise for me that they came back. They tried to play narrow and it was difficult to play against. We needed the goalkeeper and Martinez's save was amazing.

"I am so, so happy with Leon Bailey. In the last game he had two really good chances to win the match and he was a bit upset and today he scored the goal and did the action in the second goal."

Leeds United

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, speaking to BBC Sport: "When you are in the season and looking at the table and want to get points and win matches and you lose it hurts, but for me this is our best performance. It was the most complete performance we have had since I've been here. It is a really positive sign for me. It hurts to lose but a really positive performance.

"For me, I've tried hard to create a process and progress and understanding of how we want to play football. For me I am really satisfied to now see it start to come together."

Win more matches than you lose? "Of course if we play like that. We controlled most of the match. A big positive. We have to stay focused on our process and not get stressed out by the table. I want us to stay laser focused on us."

Should have had a penalty in the first half? "Maybe, I haven't seen it again."

Leeds United

Leeds United Jesse Marsch talking to Sky Sports: "Yes and no [does it sum up your season?]. We displayed that we were the better team, but more importantly it was the best complete performance we've had as a team. Obviously it is frustrating with points at a premium right now and you look at the table and the stress of that situation but if we can play like this we have something to build on. I've been edging and pushing the players to grasp more and commit to the way we want to play, and be brave in the ways we want to play. I think we did that to our best ability tonight. It was a positive performance and something to build on.

"It was a dangerous moment for us [the first goal]. I thought we could have done better to defend that situation. I thought we had a bright start, even before the first goal and we continued to push. The first half was outstanding. The second goal kills us and makes the game even harder but the guys kept pushing and maybe even if it goes a few more minutes we find a way to get the equaliser.

"We are good late in matches. We always push hard and show belief and commitment. I just want to talk about the performance itself and talk about it being intensify football and the way we want to play. With the ball, and from set pieces, we were threatening. We were really unlucky not to come away with anything. If we play like that more often we will get more points.

"There is so much to play, we're not even half way through the season. There is no panic. It is just about kickstarting the way we want to play. If we can do that we have enough quality and intelligence to achieve our goals. This was a big positive from me. I would take more losses and good performances because it could help it really push forward to be the team we want to be."

On possible signing Georginio Rutter: "No, I won't discuss that. We'll have enough announcements in the coming days."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Umai Emery talking to Sky Sports: "It was two different halves. The first we conceded more than we wanted but they had a lot of energy and were pushing. There were a lot of duels and we needed to stay calm and break the first press to attack the spaces and we did a very good goal, an amazing goal with very good transitions, but then we needed our goalkeeper to save some good moments from them.

"The second half was different. We spoke about fighting face to face in the duels, but we needed to keep the ball and tried to do longer possession with the ball and try to impose and progress with the passes and keep control of the goal. We did amazing in the second half and scored the second goal and had chances to score a third goal. They had one or two chances as well and they scored but the second half was very different and our performance was better.

"I was concerned by the number of chances they created. We are trying to control matches with good possession and to not concede a lot of chances but they have good players and they tried to put the ball in our box and do it so fast. I am so happy for the victory and our performance. Bailey didn't score two very good chances against Wolves and today he scored and he has done the action for the second goal. It will be amazing for his confidence. The spirit of the team today with the support was very good."

Sky Sports

Former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford on Sky Sports: "Wilfried Gnonto came up a really intelligent and smart defender in Ashley Young and that will be fantastic for his own development.

"Leeds could have put more pressure on Villa. Jesse Marsch made the right subs in my mind. He brought on all the attacking players he could, it just unfortunately didn't come to anything. It comes down to moments again. It isn't through lack of trying or chances."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa defender Ashley Young on Sky Sports: "We knew it was going to be tough. We know what comes in games against Leeds, they are always a bit feisty. We were up for that tonight. Every man from the keeper to the forwards were fantastic tonight. I'm not sure if it was a foul in the build-up to their goal and we had to dig deep and we did that superbly tonight.

"We needed to bounce back. I'm not too sure it was a point to prove because our performances in the league have been very good. It is another three points. We knew it was going to be a big game. Leon has been brilliant and when you work hard like he does you get your rewards.

"It was a good battle with Gnonto. I was feeling my back at half time. It is one of those things, the manger has put in the team to have battles like that and i'm delighted with the three points."

Sky Sports

Former Aston Villa forward Dion Dublin on Sky Sports: "It was half and half [whether Villa deserved to win or get away with one]. Their first-half performance was much better.

"They got away with it. Leeds could have done more in the final third and made it a bit more interesting.

"Villa did enough. They did what they had to do. It wasn't vintage but it was better."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa goalscorer Leon Bailey on Sky Sports: "For us tonight was really important. We enjoyed the game and showed a really good team spirit. It was great to have the fans on their feet again. It is nice to get a win again at Villa Park.

"It was definitely the perfect start, we couldn't have asked for anything better. It was brilliant from the first moment and it was great to see the team there for each other from the first moment to the last.

"It was definitely a relief to see the ball go in. It was definitely coming. I've had some moments where the ball wouldn't go in but I'm glad to take that opportunity today.

"It was very important for us to get the three points, we needed the fans to get that winning feeling. I hope we can keep consistent now."

Image source, .

The table makes for very pleasant reading for Aston Villa fans as they move level on points with 10th-placed Chelsea.

Sky Sports

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "It was a brilliant game. I really enjoyed it.

"Wilfried Gnonto was exceptional and didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

"Emi Martinez made some good saves and Leon Bailey played a part in both goals so probably just edges Ashley Young for man of the match.

"I will go away tonight thinking it is the best atmosphere I've seen at Villa Park for a long time and that I've seen a special young talent in Gnonto.

"He was absolutely exceptional. Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of being where to be and his choice of pass and when to run with it, it was really, really good. To see someone so mature so young is extremely unusual in that position."

It is a loss for Leeds, a frustrating one, but the positives are:

• They played well
• Patrick Bamford scored
• Wilfried Gnonto is some player

You'd have to imagine they will have enough to avoid getting sucked into trouble.

Sky Sports

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "Unai Emery's side have just done enough, just is the key word there because they haven't been great tonight. They've just had moments."

All over! Aston Villa take the three points as they look to push on into the top half of the table.

Leeds had chances, a lot of chances, to have got something from this game but as it is they leave empty handed and looking a tad nervously over their shoulders. They are just two points above the drop.

Image source, Getty Images

Into the final minute and you have to think Aston Villa have done enough now...

Sky Sports

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "It is an exhibition from Wilfried Gnonto. His passing and then winning the foul.

"Ashley Young has stuck in there. It's been awful for him since the 60-65th minute."

Wilfried Gnonto is fouled on the left side of the box and Leeds have a free kick in a good position.

Sam Greenwood sends the ball into a really dangerous position and it is flicked behind by Tyrone Mings before a Leeds player can pounce.

Leon Bailey almost intercepts a sloppy pass at the back by Leeds. One mistake and it could be all over for the visitors. They can't let their concentration slip.