John McGinn believes that there are positives for Aston Villa to take into the final five games of the season despite their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Dean Smith’s side held their own at Anfield and created good chances, but the newly-crowned Premier League champions took the points after goals from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones.
Speaking to VillaTV following the final whistle, McGinn couldn’t hide his disappointment, although he felt that the gameplan had worked well for large periods.
“Gutted about it, really,” he admitted.
“When you come here, you’re not going to dominate the ball - you’re going to sit off, take the pressure and try to create chances on the counter-attack.
“We did that, unfortunately we didn’t take the chances and we were punished in the end.
“The overall feeling is disappointment, but we can take the positives.”
Manchester United are up next before Crystal Palace are the visitors three days later and McGinn is optimistic heading into back-to-back games at Villa Park.
He said: “It doesn’t get easier, but we’re at home and the games get bigger and bigger.
“It’s up to us to puff our chest out and put in a similar performance but get three points.
“If we show the character, desire and grit in the final five games, then I’m sure we’ll be fine.”