Warm welcome for O’Leary

Leeds 0 Aston Villa 0

It was expected O’Leary would be criticised following a near four-year reign as Leeds boss during which time he spent £100million at a club now close to administration.

O’Leary also wrote a highly-damaging book which split the club at a time when Leeds were riding high in the Premiership, and is still being compensated following his sacking in June last year.

Yet the 45-year-old Irishman was cheered by a 300-strong Leeds contingent when he stepped off the Villa team coach, and also applauded as he made his way to the visitors’ dugout just before kick-off.

Although it was a goalless draw which lacked entertainment, O’Leary was happy with his return as he said: “I never had any doubts about the reception.

“I never had any problems with the fans, as everybody knows. It wasn’t them who drove me out.

“During my four years in the job they were fantastic to me and again showed how good they are because the team (Leeds) need their help and they are getting behind them.”

Villa are now unbeaten in their last four matches as they continue their own revival after recently slumping into the relegation zone.

O’Leary added: “It was a good point, but we can play better, although Leeds are a difficult side to play against now.

“The difference recently is because we are starting to score a few more goals and when you do that the three points you pick up really pushes you up the league.”

Leeds caretaker boss Eddie Gray shook O’Leary’s hand at the end of the game even though Gray was shunted to one side upon the arrival of former head coach Brian Kidd, an appointment the 55-year-old Scot was unhappy with at the time.

But the hatchet appears to have been buried, although Gray simply commented afterwards: “I spoke to him and said hello before the game.”

Despite being unbeaten in their last five league matches, Leeds remain one off the bottom in the Premiership. But for Gray, every point is increasingly vital.

He added: “I didn’t think it was a great game but we need points and at the end of the day, a draw was a fair result because neither side had many chances.

“I would expect us to play better, especially at home, but the boys worked hard for each other and they came up with a clean sheet.

“Considering we were without Lucas Radebe and we had a centre-back in the side starting his first Premiership game (Matthew Kilgallon), I was pleased that we never conceded.”

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Duberry, Kilgallon, Harte, Pennant (Lennon 73), Smith, Batty, Matteo (Bakke 64), Milner, Viduka.

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie (Vassell 66), Barry, McCann, Whittingham, Angel, Moore (Hitzlsperger 66).

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).