A number of Leeds United fans have been singing the praises of Luke Ayling on Twitter, following the defender’s performance in his side’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Friday.
Ayling found himself playing in a less central defensive position at Villa Park, but coped admirably with that challenge, as Patrick Bamford’s hat-trick saw Leeds return to winning ways and move third in the early Premier League standings.
With Pascal Struijk moved into central midfield to cope with the absence of Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente both absent through injury, Ayling was moved from his natural right-back position into the centre of Leeds’ defence in the Midlands.
Despite his lack of familiarity in that position, Ayling acquitted himself perfectly in the centre of defence, producing a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Jack Grealish with the score at 0-0, while WhoScored reports that Ayling’s three shots blocked in the game was more than any other player on the pitch.
That contribution from Ayling is something that did not go unnoticed by a number of Leeds supporters, with plenty keen to pay tribute to the 29-year-ols as they took to Twitter to give their thoughts on the game.
Here, we take a look at what some of them had to say.
Twitter: Bamford gets the praise he deserves from last night but my god, hasn’t Ayling stepped up to prem standards. #lufc (@bigben1292)
Twitter: Luke Ayling for England!
#lufc (@LUFCHistory)
Twitter: Genuine question ,Luke Ayling we paid some rusty washers, a broken kettle and a weekend sun break in Minehead fo… https://t.co/gPMAA1XETL (@leicesterwhite)
Twitter: Another game, another brilliant showing by Luke Ayling. #lufc (@mit_olyk)
Twitter: I know Bamford got a hat-trick but Luke Ayling was absolutely outstanding tonight! #lufc (@fletcheyben)
Twitter: Bamford obviously MOTM but absolutely top performances from Harrison and Ayling tonight. Well pleased with that #lufc (@LUFCVirginia)
Twitter: How good were we last night! Bamford brilliant! Ayling excepional #lufc (@MOT_DAN)
Twitter: Great all round tonight. Obviously Bamford will be the standout but what a performance from Ayling #captain #leader #lufc (@AndyLUFC79)
It is good to see Ayling get some recognition here.
Bamford will rightly take plenty of plaudits for his efforts at the other end of the pitch, but Ayling’s contribution in keeping Villa out is arguably just as important.
The fact that he was making such an impact in an unnatural position for him just makes what Ayling did all the more impressive, and yet again highlights just how crucial he is to Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
As a result of this, you feel that any central defensive injury concerns Leeds might have will have been eased further by this performance, and that feels like yet another lift in what is already a hugely impressive and promising start to the season for the Whites.