For Aston Villa, the new manager bounce goes on. This was their third successive win under Steven Gerrard’s stewardship. More to the point, at times it was so easy it was embarrassing.

“Three wins, three clean sheets: obviously we’re doing something right,” said Gerrard. 

For Leeds, meanwhile, there appears to be no such upward trajectory. This may have been Jesse Marsch’s home introduction as the new Leeds manager, but as his side slumped to their sixth defeat in their last seven games it was not hard to see the issues he faces. The pub outside Elland Road is still named in honour of his predecessor, Marcelo Bielsa. At this rate, there is little chance that it will be imminently renamed The Marsch. 

Because if the American’s appointment was meant to bring some structure to a Leeds side that had grown frayed in the last weeks of Bielsa’s reign, there was scant evidence of it here. “The players want to do well so badly it brings more pressure and stress on to their shoulders,” said Marsch. “We need to know fear will ensure failure. We have to be fearless.”

It would also help if they picked up opposition players, as was obvious when Matty Cash crossed from the right. Philippe Countiho was lurking on the edge of the area, unattended, and his careful shot was deflected past Illan Meslier by Luke Ayling.

He was not the only one looking to exploit Leeds’s inability to close down danger: Douglas Luiz steered a free-kick goalwards that Meslier punched clear, while John McGinn’s long-range shot looked to be heading for the far corner before the keeper stuck out an arm. 

Leeds, in contrast to Villa’s Coutinho-charged threat, offered little. The crowd’s groans were growing with every misplaced pass. Even a counter attack at pace came to nothing when McGinn easily dispossessed Daniel James, a player who seems ever more confused by his own feet. It was not that Marsch’s team weren’t trying for the new boss: Leeds exuded effort. It was control and application they lacked. 

Marsch at least was able to communicate what he wanted at half-time in a language his players understood. And they almost equalised from the second-half kick-off, Cash required to make a dramatic, scrambled clearance as James looked to convert Jack Harrison’s cross. It was a show of spirit that had Marsch punching the air with delight. And then, to a roar that could be heard in Manchester, he called Patrick Bamford from the bench, the one player in the Leeds squad likely to put the ball in the net. He has played 22 minutes of football since mid-September and suddenly Leeds had a focal point. 

“He’s a confident guy,” said Marsch of his substitute. “We’re going to need that.” 

But what a focal point cannot do is be everywhere. And still the gaps behind him were there to exploit. So when Danny Ings smartly swung over a cross, Cash found himself alone, able to check back before hitting a left-foot shot beyond Meslier. 

And so it continued. Coutinho almost skipped through on goal, Ayling needed to slide in at the last as Ollie Watkins bore down on goal. Then from a free-kick, the ball found its way to Tyrone Mings who headed back to his centre-back partner Callum Chambers. His crisp finish was magnificent. 

“Leeds are falling apart again,” mocked the Villa fans. As their team played keep-ball on the edge of the home area, cheerful in their imposition of humiliation, it was hard to argue. “Marcelo Bielsa,” chanted the Leeds fans in response. But that ship has sailed. And, even with a new man at the helm, Leeds are giving every indication of sinking.