Reid pursues Kewell as Leeds defeat Villa

Leeds United 3

Kewell is out of contract in a year's time and, given Leeds are heavily in debt, the Australian international is attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Kewell has stalled on signing a new deal, initially, as he waited to see which league Leeds would be in; then, for the managerial situation to be resolved.

Both issues were concluded in the last seven days, with Leeds preserving their Premiership status at Arsenal last weekend, while Reid was appointed full-time boss on Friday.

Kewell, though, was absent for yesterday's 3-1 home win over Aston Villa due to a family bereavement, with the suggestion in some quarters that his goal-scoring performance at Highbury was his last match for the club.

Mark Viduka scored his 22nd goal of the season with what proved to be his last touch of the game, and it could well be his final one for Leeds.

Ian Harte's eighth-minute free-kick set Leeds on their way, but Villa then dominated and deservedly equalised five minutes before the break through Joey Gudjonsson.

A poor second half finally sparked into life in the 80th minute when substitute Nick Barmby put Leeds back in front, before Viduka's late finish.

Reid at least has a platform on which to work during the close-season as he added: "It was the right result and the pleasing thing for me was the attitude.

We look as though we are becoming hard to beat, but I think it's fair to say we still get very anxious."

Villa boss Graham Taylor is hoping to conclude a deal during the summer for Real Betis midfielder Gudjonsson who has been on loan at Villa Park since January.

LEEDS: Robinson, Mills (Barmby 70), Radebe, Duberry, Harte, Kelly, Bakke (McPhail 45), Matteo (Kilgallon 86), Wilcox, Viduka, Simon Johnson.

ASTON VILLA: Postma, Samuel (Taylor 84), Mellberg, Johnsen (Dublin 89), Barry, Moore (Cooke 74), Hitzlsperger, Gudjonsson, Whittingham, Vassell, Allback.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).