Leeds United were dealt an early problem during Sunday’s encounter with Aston Villa when Anton Stach was forced off after suffering a blow to the head. The incident occurred during the move that produced Leeds’ early opener. Rising above Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the German midfielder met Sean Longstaff’s deep free-kick, forcing Ezri Konsa into a hurried clearance that rebounded off Lukas Nmecha and into the net.
Before that moment, Gabriel Gudmundsson had kept the set-piece alive by hooking Longstaff’s delivery back across the goalmouth, creating the aerial challenge that involved Stach and Martinez. As Stach made contact with the ball, he lost his balance and fell awkwardly, while Martinez also appeared to be hurt in the collision. Both players remained on the ground immediately after the incident.
A lengthy VAR check followed as officials reviewed whether Stach had committed an infringement on Martinez during the challenge. Despite the stoppage, Stach returned to the pitch briefly, attempting to continue. However, it soon became clear he was still affected by the impact, and he went to ground again, signalling that the issue had not resolved.
Concussion substitution used in the first half
After another on-field evaluation by Leeds’ medical staff, Stach pointed towards his head, indicating continued discomfort. With player welfare in mind, the decision was made to withdraw him from the match. Ao Tanaka entered in the 23rd minute under the concussion substitution rule, a decision later confirmed during Sky Sports’ commentary.
Stach will now undergo additional examinations to determine whether a concussion has occurred. These tests are expected to offer clarity on the severity of the issue and any necessary recovery timeline.
Assessment process and next steps for Leeds
If a concussion is diagnosed, Premier League guidelines require players to follow a structured, six-step return protocol. This procedure can sideline a player from regular training for several days while they progress through monitored stages of recovery. At this point, no official confirmation has been made regarding Stach’s status.
Head coach Daniel Farke is expected to address the situation after the match, offering an initial update. A more detailed assessment is also anticipated during the week as Leeds prepare for their upcoming away trip to face Manchester City.
