A Danny Ings penalty has lifted Aston Villa to a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Lang Park and secured a winning start to their Australian tour.

Aston Villa began their pre-season Australian tour in winning fashion by defeating Premier League rivals Leeds United 1-0 at Lang Park on Sunday afternoon.

Frustrated through the opening hour by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, Villa broke through when Danny Ings scored from the spot in the 62nd minute in the decisive moment of a game contested in front of 40,918 spectators.

Leeds' fortunes worsened further when 16-year-old attacker Archie Gray was stretchered off after a heavy challenge from John McGinn in the 73rd minute.

Villa will next meet A-League Men side Brisbane Roar in Townsville on Wednesday, while Leeds' tour will conclude with a match against Crystal Palace at Perth Stadium on Friday.

Coming off a 2-1 win over the Roar in which he scored, Leeds' Dan James created the game's first major chance in the 20th minute when he pounced on the ricochet of his own blocked shot and forced Robin Olsen into a diving save.

Villa had a penalty three minutes later after Tyler Adams was pulled up for handball but Meslier maintained parity by saving both Philippe Coutinho's spot kick and rapid follow-up.

The French goalkeeper again proved vital in the 26th minute when he charged down Ollie Watkins after he was played through by Coutinho and deflected his effort wide.

Olsen got back into the action five minutes later when he denied an angled Patrick Bamford effort, with James' follow-up going wide.

The game became increasingly physical in the second half, and James forced another sharp save from Olsen after he redirected Marc Roca's cross in on goal from close range on the hour.

But moments later Villa had another penalty and on this occasion Ings, brought on as manager Steven Gerrard heavily rotated his squad, made sure of it.