Brenden Aaronson spells out why Leeds United 'needed' tough Aston Villa test

Brenden Aaronson reflected on a tough challenge after Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the Suncorp Stadium - explaining how it was ‘what we needed’. The 21-year-old started on Sunday morning and racked up 60 minutes as he continued to bed into his new side.

A second-half Danny Ings penalty secured victory for the Villa in a feisty affair that was anything but friendly. Challenges were strong throughout and John McGinn’s late into the second period ended with Archie Gray leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

It was the first time in which all three of Jesse Marsch's former players started together, with Rasmus Kristensen and Tyler Adams also featuring. And there was a marked improvement in some of the attacking patterns that the Whites boss wants to implement, with Aaronson in particular picking up the ball in dangerous areas and carrying play forward with purpose.

Marc Roca was again impressive in midfield, with Dan James finding consistent danger out wide and Patrick Bamford racking up an hour of football injury-free. And Aaronson admitted that the intense and physical challenge was exactly ‘what we needed’ and that those relationships on the pitch are improving.

“It was good. What we needed as a group, a tough game like this,” the American said. “Coming out here and having the fans that we had was really special and I think that it was a good test for us. Now it's on to the next game against Crystal Palace.

“Every game that goes by we’re having more and more understanding of each other. A bunch of guys were new that were out on the field today, but it's good. We’re building chemistry, connections and that's what we need going into the season. I think there were a lot of great plays we put together but then it's