No revenge for Leeds as Villa win again

THINGS get no better for George Graham. Eight games in charge now and his record reads, won two, drawn one, lost five. Last night's defeat was Leeds's second in four days to Aston Villa and so there was neither revenge for Saturday or for last season's League Cup final between these two teams.

The sheer wretchedness of Leeds display against Villa in March was undoubtedly the first flag on the path that brought Graham to Elland Road. It was another six months before Howard Wilkinson departed but the memory of that Wembley performance hung around Wilkinson like a bad smell.

Not that the majority involved here could recollect last year's final - Villa featured six from that game, Leeds only four. Both sides had also made changes from, Saturday's line ups and one of Leeds, Andy Couzens, almost, justified that decision as quickly as the second minute. Unfortunately for Couzens his curling shot from 20 yards was comfortably dabbed away by Mark Bosnich but it was to be one of many efforts in a sparky opening half hour.

Villa had already set the trend after 30 seconds when Sasa Curcic took advantage of Lee Sharpe's slip although Ian Taylor could manage only a minor connection to the Serb's cross. Headers from Richard Jobson and Sharpe then flew over Ian Rush snapped a half volley wide, and Rod Wallace bounced a shot off the turf onto the bar. Leeds were finding space.

It was not, however, as dangerous as the gaps Villa were developing at the other end. Curcic, with a swift give and go with Tommy Johnson, created room for a shot as did Johnson soon after from Fernando Nelson's floated pass.

Villa should have gone ahead in the 23rd minute when Job son clearly dragged down Curcic in the area as he rounded the Leeds man. As it followed a collision between Johnson and Nigel Martyn, Jobson was the last man at the time, but Jeff Winter ignored Villa's pleas. Curcic took his right boot off in disgust.

The referee claimed at half time that he did not see the challenge in question, which was an honest admission, yet also damning. Upset though they surely were, the visitors' momentum 20was not interrupted. Dwight Yorke's shot direct from the restart and five minutes later a wasted opportunity made that point.

Leaving Paul Beesley with embarrassing ease, Yorke strolled on to Taylor's overhead clearance but a combination of a bobble and careless finishing killed the moment. They were now clearly superior, both individually and collectively. Johnson sped by Sharpe only for Martyn to save instinctively from Yorke and not long after Curcic struck a post with Martyn well beaten this time.

Then, in the 68th minute, all changed utterly Wallace latched onto Lucas Radebe's long ball, swung in a low cross and Sharpe, arriving at speed, scored impressively calmly. Leeds' though, could not protect that lead for even 60 seconds, and after Curcic cruised by Mark Ford, Job son fluffed his kick, and Tailor equalised from three yards. Another seven minutes and Villa had the lead they deserved. Predictably Yorke was the scorer and, on this occasion also the creator, coolly placing the penalty past Martyn after he had been tripped by Beesley.

. Middlesbrough will play Newcastle at the Riverside Stadium in the most attractive tie of the League Cup fourth round.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said: "It's one of the most difficult of draws. Any game away from home is tough but when it's a local derby against someone like Middlesbrough, it's doubly difficult. But no doubt Bryan Robson is thinking exactly the same as us.

Holders Aston Villa will visit either Wimbledon or second division Luton, while Liverpool and Arsenal will clash at An field if they win their respective replays against Charlton and Stoke. Second division Stockport are rewarded for their win at Blackburn with a trip to West Ham.

Leicester will entertain favourites Manchester United, whose odds to win the tournament have fallen to 7 to 2.

Liverpool are second favourites at 9 to 2 and Newcastle are 5 to 1. Aston Villa and Tottenham are 6 to 1, while Arsenal and Middlesbrough are both 12 to 1. West Ham are 16 to 1.