ALAN SMITH was United's hero and villain when after putting Leeds ahead early on he was controversially sent off later in the first half as Leeds were held 1-1 by Aston Villa at Elland Road.

Smith's fifth red card of his career was a harsh decision by referee Neale Barry who adjudged that the United's use of an elbow on Villa defender Alpay was violent conduct.

The incident turned the game on its head as United had been ahead thanks to Smith's strike, but down to ten men and still reeling from that blow, one momentary lapse of concentration at the back allowed Hassan Kachloul to equalise.

The ten men of Leeds could even have collected maximum points but for the presence of Peter Schmeichel in the Villa goal and a post which denied a late header from Rio Ferdinand, although the talking point was about Mr Barry.

Striker Robbie Keane was passed fit to play despite still carrying a hand injury, but the one real surprise was the decision to leave Olivier Dacourt on the bench, with Jason Wilcox keeping his place on the left of the United midfield and Seth Johnson back to partner David Batty in the centre.

Villa brought back captain Paul Merson after a lengthy absence, but were forced to employ Steve Stone at right back with Mark Delaney ruled out through injury.

Wilcox was instrumental in Leeds first chance on five minutes when, following some patient build up play, Alan Smith found space and time to deliver a deep cross from the right which had Villa keeper Peter Schmeichel struggling to get his fingertips to the ball. The Danes touch fell invitingly for Wilcox to lay the ball square for Keane who badly miscued his shot from just six yards out.

United certainly didn't look jaded from their European exploits in midweek and raced forward in numbers at every opportunity.

Villa also were keen to to test Zurich hero Nigel Martyn and the Leeds keeper did well to push behind a long range shot from Alan Wright which took a slight deflection off Juan Pablo Angel, while Darius Vassell's glancing header from the resulting corner flashed past Martyn's right hand upright.

But is was Schmeichel who played a key role when United deservedly took the lead on 18 minutes.

Smith played the ball in to the right channel and Schmeichel, who had already made on audacious dash from his area, came racing out but was beaten to the ball by Keane. The Irish striker measured up his options before rolling the ball square to Smith to fire into the net despite Steve Stone's desperate attempt to keep it out.

Leeds' favourite son the went close with two headers, but this time Schmeichel was in the right place to save his side, while Martyn's only worry was to deal comfortably with a shot from Lee Hendrie.

With United looking in control, Elland Road waited for more goals until the game erupted just past the half hour mark.

Schmeichel made amends for his earlier mistake when he made a brilliant point blank save to deny Keane's downward header after another superb cross by Smith.

But moments later when Smith challenged Alpay he went in with his elbow high which made contact with the Villa defender's chest, who collapsed to the ground pole-axed.

The Turk certainly made the most of the incident and referee Neale Barry reacted by pulling out a straight red card, Smith's fifth dismissal in two years.

With United clearly incensed by the decision Seth Johnson was booked for a challenge on Stone, his fifth of the season, and it got worse for Leeds on 33 minutes when Merson's free-kick fell perfectly for Hassan Kachloul to volley on the turn past Martyn for the equalising goal.

Leeds's ten men were clearly rattled and did well to compose themselves for the remainder of the half to give them a chance to regroup.

David O'Leary was furious with the red card decision and whatever he said at the interval did little to stamp out the ill feeling between the two teams.

The lack of consistency by officials that so often has managers tearing their hair out was evident ten minutes after the restart.

Danny Mills clashed with Lee Hendrie with the Villa midfielder appearing to lash out at the Leeds defender, but after consulting his linesman, referee Neale Barry only issued a yellow card. Mills' complaints moments later only landed him a yellow card.

Despite being behind in numbers it was United who went closest to taking the lead on 59 minutes. Hendrie had been promptly substituted by Villa boss John Gregory and with his replacement Ian Taylor caught out of position, Wilcox's run and cross from the left found Eirik Bakke just outside the area.

The Norwegian's powerful drive was parried by Schmeichel, but the ball rebounded straight to Keane who blazed the ball over the bar from seven yards out under pressure from the recovered Villa keeper.

Villa were unable to sustain any real pressure and surprisingly Nigel Martyn was not seriously tested.

Schmeichel on the other hand looked relieved to see Ian Harte's 25 yard drive fly a foot past his left hand post, while United's Robbie Keane was convinced Leeds should have had a penalty when Mellberg appeared to handle inside the area.

Villa's only real effort was a shot by Alpay which flew over the bar and it was Leeds who were denied at the end by the woodwork.

In injury time Ian Harte's free-kick was met by skipper Rio Ferdinand, but his header hit Villa's left post with Schmeichel beaten.

That just about summer up United's afternoon.

www.leedsunited.co.uk Man of the Match - Rio Ferdinand