Premier League: Bamford hits treble as Leeds win at Villa - reaction

Sitting in third, Leeds United occupy their highest position at the end of a day in the Premier League since 20 September, 2002.

Not a bad return so far...

Six goals in as many Premier League games for Patrick Bamford this season.

He continues to match all sorts of records for Leeds United.

Matt Andrews: If someone had offered us 4 wins out of 5 at the start of the season I'd have bitten their hand off. fair play Leeds were better than us tonight. still second though.

Nii: Leeds third in the EPL table? Are they pretenders or actually they are back where they once belong before it all started to go wrong for them ?

Ian Shepherd: OK... in this mad season of football, who had Leeds winning 3 nil vs villa away?... nope... me neither...

Patrick Bamford speaking to Premier League productions: "In the first half I missed two good chances but once the first went in it settled us. The crucial thing was that we didn't give up any part of the game. In general we controlled the game and we played it our way.

"The last time [I was in the Premier League] maybe people said I wasn't ready but I didn't have a proper go at it. It is a fresh start for me to prove I belong here and if i keep on doing it the boys will be happy and I'll be happy.

"We really showed the way Marcelo [Bielsa] wants us to play. Villa are a very good team this year, we knew we had to control the game and we gave away some balls in the first half but in the second half we completely controlled it."

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith talking to BBC Match of the Day: "Very frustrated, especially with the last 40 minutes. I thought the first half was very even.

"They scored the first goal and we got worse and they were very good. We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had.

"Who knows what would have happened if we had scored? That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we didn't handle it very well."

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith speaking to BT Sport: "I thought it was fairly even in the first half in terms of chances but you have to make the most of your moments.

"I was disappointed after the first goal - I thought we lost the game after the first goal, we got disillusioned and they were very good.

"But after five games we have 12 points. Credit to Leeds, their work-rate was very good.

"They got their first goal and that changed the game. We looked disappointed and surprised.

"We didn't handle it very well and it's something to learn from. If someone offered 12 points from five games we would have taken it. We knew we could make history today with five wins [at the start of a season] and we're disappointed we haven't done that."

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa talking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph. We scored first and were a little bit lucky they didn't score some of the chances they had.

"We were playing well even before the goal and had played well enough to go ahead.

"Very happy for Patrick [Bamford] because he scored some wonderful goals. Apart from that a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team - generous also.

"I think his development is more to do with him and less to do with me."

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa speaking to to BT Sport: "It was a good performance, it was better in the second half. The first half was also good, we defended well, we attacked well and we had the luck to score before they did."

On taking Pascal Struijk off in the first half: "He got an early yellow card and there was a lot of mobility in the middle of the park so I wanted to take him off as a result."

On Patrick Bamford's hat-trick: "I'm very happy for him, they were all very nice goals. Some of the nicest goals he has scored for us."

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford talking to MOTD: "A dream come true. When the third went in it was elation. A big moment for me.

"It is testament to how the team has worked. Without them I wouldn't be able to score and Marcelo has put a lot of trust in me.

"I wouldn't be able to do it without the team. It was important to bounce back for us.

"I will be telling my kids about this night and I am sure I will never forget it."

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford talking to BT Sport: "I don't count the first lot of Premier League games I played because I was always playing a few minutes off the bench.

"This time I have a manager who believes in me and as long as I keep working hard he will keep trusting me.

"Looking back at the Wolves game, maybe I was unlucky not to win it. Villa are a good team. I think someone said Bielsa is a myth but I think we have shown Leeds are here and are here to compete."

Right then, lets get some reaction from the players and managers.

Leeds climb to third in the Premier League table with that victory, two points behind Aston Villa, ahead of the weekend's fixtures.

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An excellent night for Leeds United - and an excellent night for hat-trick hero Patrick Bamford.

Leeds go again on the counter just as Aston Villa begin to sense a late consolation.

Jack Harrison has been excellent this evening and tries to cap his display with a goal, but instead finds the side-netting.

That should be that.

It was going to come at some point, but Dean Smith probably didn't expect it to arrive so bluntly as this.

A first defeat of the season beckons for Villa after a mightily impressive start, as John McGinn's drive from distance travels over Illan Meslier's goal.

Ollie Watkins is in, slightly to the right of goal, but fires a powerful, low strike narrowly wide of the far post.

It just hasn't been Aston Villa's day.

Five minutes of stoppage time to come.

Matt Target commits a foul outside the Leeds penalty area just as Villa were beginning to build some momentum in the closing stages.

Leeds United's 12 Premier League goals this season is the most by a newly promoted club after six games of a season in the division since Middlesbrough back in 1992-93.

Marcelo Bielsa's side aren't settling for three at Villa Park either, as Patrick Bamford chases down Tyrone Mings in the Villa penalty area before his goalkeeper clears to safety.

Raphinha is on in place of Helder Costa now as Leeds look to see this game out.

The Brazilian is involved in the action right away as Leeds launch another attack, but his left-footed shot is unable to trouble Emiliano Martinez.