Leeds were beaten for a second time in two games under new head coach Jesse Marsch, losing 3-0 to Aston Villa at Elland Road.

The Villans drew first blood through Philippe Coutinho, who fired home Matty Cash's 22nd minute cut-back from the edge of the box, via a deflection off Pascal Struijk.

Cash then got himself on the scoresheet in the 65th minute — arriving unmarked at the back post to receive Danny Ings' left-wing cross, before cutting inside and lashing past Illan Meslier.

Calum Chambers netted a fabulous third eight minutes later, curling a finish into the top corner from Tyrone Mings' layoff, that left Meslier with no chance and wrapped up the win for the visitors.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard expressed his delight at the performance but looked to remain grounded.

He said: "I am very happy. The team is in a fantastic place and the mood is good but we have to remain cautious and keep resetting ourselves. Things can change quickly in this league. 

"The gameplan worked tonight for sure. The idea was to really dominate the middle of the pitch. We played through the press which gave us a lot of success through the transition. 

"We were a real joy to watch going forward. We started both halves a little sloppy if there was one negative."

Leeds manager Marsch, meanwhile, admitted to being taken aback at how his players responded to the pressure of the game.

He said: "I was a little bit surprised at how we felt the pressure of the moment. We talked a lot about staying calm and focused on how we wanted to play and in the first half I felt we played with a bit of fear. 

"Our best phase in the match was the first 15 minutes of the second half but then it became 2-0 and we were in a hole trying to dig ourselves out. After that it was a lot of long balls and individual moments. The second goal changed the momentum. 

"We need Patrick Bamford, we will see how he responds after this outing. I felt he had a couple of dangerous moments. It is basically a final on Sunday [against Norwich] and we have to find a way to get a result in that match. 

"I've heard so much about the crowd here and the crowd was fantastic but I think the players want to do so well for themselves and the fans it is almost a massive weight on their shoulders. 

"I knew when I came there was a lot of momentum working against us. We had to stay calm and help the players find their way and that is still the case. I will do everything I can to help these guys try to do better and play better and get better results."

Did you know?

Villa have won three consecutive Premier League games without conceding for the first time since a run of four in December 2009 under Martin O’Neill.

Leeds have lost six consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2004, while this is the first time they’ve lost four top-flight games in a row without scoring since March 1982.

Gerrard's men scored more than twice for the first time in 27 Premier League away games, since winning 3-0 at West Brom in December 2020.

The hosts had just four shots, their fewest in a home league match since September 2016 (also four against Huddersfield).

Marsch is the first Leeds manager to lose both of his first two league games in charge since Garry Monk in August 2016, while he’s the first to do so in the Premier League since George Graham in September 1996.

Coutinho has been involved in seven league goals (four goals, three assists) – only Harry Kane (eight) has had a hand in more in the competition since the Brazilian’s Villa debut in January.

Cash has been involved in five goals in his last six league games (two goals, three assists), more than in his first 49 appearances in the competition (one goal, two assists). Tonight was the first time he’s both scored and assisted in a single Premier League match.