Dean Smith felt his side were the architects of their own downfall in Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against Southampton.
The Head Coach saw his Aston Villa side penalised for three fouls around their penalty area in the first half – all of which led to goals for the visitors.
Smith felt the scoreline was harsh on his team but reflected that there were lessons to be learned.
He said: “We know the qualities they have [from set-pieces], so giving fouls away is inexcusable. We’re disappointed and frustrated as well.
“I went in at half-time thinking it was never a 3-0 game – let alone 4-0 when Danny Ings sticks one in the top corner.
“We found our rhythm in the second half but that’s what we should have had in the first half. Credit to them because they stopped us getting any rhythm.”
After Tyrone Mings had made it 4-1 after 62 minutes, Villa laid siege on the Southampton goal.
Mings, Trezeguet and Ollie Watkins all had great chances before two stoppage time goals reduced the deficit.
Smith said: “Trez could have scored a hat-trick himself with the chances he had at the back post in the second half.
“If the goals had come a bit earlier, I’m sure we would have got something out of it. It’s a mountain to climb in this league, coming back from four goals down.
“We nearly got back but it wasn’t to be. The momentum that we had has been paused slightly with the last two results.
“The way we finished the game was really good and we need to take that into next week at Arsenal.”
