The Villa Match Zone

“A Game We Should’ve Won” – Disappointment For Smith As Villa Draw But Injuries Shouldn’t Be A Problem

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Having booked our place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup and a tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, Saturday saw Aston Villa back in Premier League action as we welcomed Burnley to Villa Park.

Having seen yet another effort ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee technology, we kept plugging away and took the lead twice in the game through Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn, but Sean Dyche’s side didn’t roll over and hit back twice in the second half to ultimately level the tie and deny us another three points.

Some fans will focus on VAR again, others our lack of punch up front as we really have only ourselves to blame for not taking more from the clash.

Speaking to the BBC following the full time whistle, head coach Dean Smith said of the game.

“It’s a game we should have won – we dominated for large periods, we had enough chances to win the game and restricted them to few chances. Matt Targett played really well and we’re hoping it’s cramp more than anything else. It was always a risk playing him two games in a row but he played really well. El Ghazi will be fine – he just had a clash with their guy and caught one in the face and had to come off.”

Adding.

“I’m a little bit frustrated because it’s a game we should have won. We knew the dangers Burnley posed. We dealt with them well in the first half and we dominated in the first half. It was probably our best first-half performance of the season. We started the second half scrappy and sloppy. But our response to their goal was good. We took the game by the scruff of the neck. It was a great bit of work by Trezeguet for John McGinn’s goal, which was a goal his performance deserved. But to concede so soon after that goal was criminal. I believe they probably came for the draw and will be happy they’ve come away with the draw.”

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“Lost A Bit Of Belief” – Smith Rues Lost Villa Opportunity Against Arsenal

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