Leeds United show Aston Villa why wounded Marcelo Bielsa was as confident as Steven Gerrard - Graham Smyth's Verdict

Where Steven Gerrard was talking about Villa being in a good place thanks to the international break, Marcelo Bielsa appeared to be taking issue with the narrative that followed the Newcastle United game and taking the blame squarely on his shoulders.

Gerrard spoke of a reset, the work they put in on identity and their future hopes. Bielsa painstakingly explained selection decisions that had come under scrutiny in January.

But beneath the talk, both men had confidence. Philippe Coutinho surely played a part in Gerrard's positive thinking, a January loan signing with a proven pedigree that, in Bielsa's words, spoke for itself.

Bielsa's confidence came from the body of work he has put together at Leeds and his side's proven pedigree when it comes to battling back from adversity and disappointment.

His confidence was right there in his team selection, making no changes from the Newcastle defeat and once again, in the face of widespread criticism and discontent, sticking with Daniel James up front. Even when Leeds were shredded by Coutinho's rapier passing and staring down the barrel of another loss at 3-1 down, you knew nothing would change about Bielsa's outlook, belief or his plan.

The reward was a point from a magnificent fightback in a truly compelling, madcap game, and a 3-3 draw that could so easily have been something even better for Leeds.