Dean Smith has praised Marcelo Bielsa for the ‘sportsmanship’ he showed during Aston Villa’s drama-filled 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday at Elland Road.
Bielsa allowed Villa to score an uncontested goal. Moments before, Mateusz Klich had netted a controversial goal which angered the away team.
The Midlands outfit thought Leeds were going to kick the ball out of play because Jonathan Kodjia was injured on the floor, but instead, they continued in their ways and Klich put the ball in the back of the net.
After the match, Smith praised Bielsa for making the ‘right decision’ and allowing his team to equalise without the ball being contested.
“In the end, the right decision has prevailed,” Smith told BBC Sport. “Full respect to Marcelo for doing that. I think sportsmanship has prevailed in the end.”
On top of that, Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi was shown a straight red for allegedly hitting out at opposition striker Patrick Bamford.
But replays showed that El Ghazi didn’t make any contact with the player, who will now be hoping his red card will be overturned as his team head into the playoffs.
There is still one game of the regular season remaining with Villa hosting champions-elect Norwich City on Sunday afternoon before their playoff final matches.
As things stand, Villa will meet Midland rivals West Brom in the semi-finals, with the first leg due to be played at Villa Park and the reverse leg taking place at the Hawthorns.
