Bamford nets brilliant hat-trick in dominant Leeds win against Aston Villa

Villa came into Friday’s game having won their first four games of a league campaign for the first time since 1930-31, but three expert finishes from the Leeds striker prevented the hosts making it a club record five victories on the spin to open their season.

The hat-trick came when Helder Costa ran in from the right, exchanged passes, and Bamford deftly evaded one challenge, held off two more defenders and caught out Martinez by clipping the ball back across the goalkeeper.

There could have been more as Leeds claimed 60 per cent possession and had 27 shots and thrillingly continued to pour forward in numbers but the victory and their magnificent return to the Premier League after the 16-year absence was emphatic enough.