Aston Villa players were allowed to walk the ball into the net after a controversial Leeds United opener as the sides played out a bizarre 1-1 draw in the Sky Bet Championship.

Villa's Jonathan Kodjia fell with an apparent head injury after a tackle in the 73rd minute, and his teammates gestured for the ball to be kicked out while Kodija was treated.

But despite the pleas, the Leeds players ran on, with Mateusz Klich controversially scoring.

Image: Leeds United's Mateusz Klich is confronted by Aston Villa's Conor Hourihane after he scores his side's first goal while Villa's Jonathan Kodjia was down injured

A melee ensued with players grabbing and shoving each other.

One player, Villa's Anwar el Ghazi, was sent off for apparently hitting out at Patrick Bamford - although there was no contact.


Then, as players lined up for a restart, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa instructed his players to let Villa equalise.

Albert Adomah obliged and rolled the ball in at the other end.

Leeds's Pontus Jansson tried in vain to stop him and was scolded by his teammates, with the game eventually ending level.

Image: Aston Villa's Albert Adomah scores their first goal

The result ended Leeds' hopes of automatic promotion but confirmed their spot in the play-offs - where they could face Aston Villa again.

It also confirmed Sheffield United's promotion to the Premier League.