Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch said Aston Villa had tried to slow Sundayโs Premier League game down to a โsnailโs paceโ and had used time-wasting tactics to disrupt the hostsโ rhythm from the very first minute.
Following a first half that had plenty of aggression but little decent attacking football, Leeds had to hang on for a 0-0 draw after playing much of the second half with 10 men following Luis Sinisterraโs red card.
Marsch, in an interview with Sky Sports after the match, said Villa were the latest team to try to counter Leedsโ high-tempo style by throwing the ball away โat every momentโ and taking too long on goal kicks.
โThis is the best environment in the league for me and fans donโt come here to watch a snailโs pace match,โ he added.
The American, who was serving a one-game touchline ban after getting sent off against Brentford last month, said later in a post-match news conference that he felt like Leeds fans were owed an apology.
โ(The fans) didnโt get an entertaining match, they got a match that was slowed down by an opponent from the first minute โฆ,โ said Marsch.
โI will be speaking to someone from the league and (have) already spoken to the refereesโ committee, itโs clearly a tactic.โ
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Asked about Marschโs comments, Villa manager Steven Gerrard said Leeds had indulged in time-wasting after going down to 10 men.
โIt works both ways. Iโm not really interested in Jesse, what he thinks and his opinion,โ Gerrard told reporters.
โMy priority is Aston Villa and Iโm in here to talk about our performance. Weโll do what we need to do to get points and that wonโt change.โ
Leeds, who are 12th in the league, next face Crystal Palace.