Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe believes Aston Villa deserve credit for not allowing the Whites to play at their best level at Elland Road on Saturday.
Roofe scored for the Whites in the 2-0 win, Chris Wood chipping in with the second in injury time, as Leeds moved up to fourth place in the Championship and further increased expectations of a challenge for automatic promotion.
Garry Monk's men were made to wait until the 68th minute to open the scoring however and the Leeds boss was quick to admit after the match that his side have played better.
Roofe accepts Leeds did not hit top gear, but the forward thinks Aston Villa had much to do with that fact.
"We definitely weren't at our best, but that's credit to Villa – they smothered us", Roofe said on BBC Radio Leeds.
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"There was no space to get the ball at all first half, and credit to them, they've done well at that.
"We got the first goal and it opened up a bit more", Roofe continued.
"We pressed higher in the second half and forced them to make more mistakes further up the pitch, so we could get higher and our back four could get higher."
Leeds face another big test on Friday evening when they head to the south coast to lock horns with second placed Brighton.
The Whites have a poor record away against the Seagulls, having lost on their last three visits.
