Peter Crouch includes Leeds pair in his Team of the Weekend

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Peter Crouch has included Luke Ayling alongside Patrick Bamford in his Daily Mail Team of the Weekend following Leeds United’s stunning 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Friday night. 

Marcelo Bielsa’s side looked set to go into the game as underdogs. Villa had been flawless in the Premier League in their opening four games. Meanwhile, Leeds went into the clash off the back of a frustrating defeat at home to Wolves.

But the Whites were simply superb at Villa Park, particularly in the second-half. It was Bamford’s hat-trick that settled the game.

So it was no surprise at all to see the striker included in Crouch’s Team of the Weekend (via Daily Mail).

But what will please plenty of Leeds fans is that Bamford was not the only member of their squad included.

Ayling has been named at right-back by Crouch. But in truth, it was an outstanding display at centre-back for the stand-in skipper.

The 29-year-old moved into the middle due to injuries to Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Kalvin Phillips.

Remarkably, he is already the third different centre-back partner Robin Koch has had since arriving in the summer.

But Ayling – who cost just £750,000, according to the Daily Mail – was superb in that role. He made a clearance off the line during the first-half, and he helped ensure that the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley barely got a sniff during the contest.

Ayling certainly deserves his spot in Crouch’s XI. In fact, the only criticism Leeds fans are likely to have is the pundit’s decision to not include more of Bielsa’s side in the team.