By Aston Villa FC

Dean Smith felt Aston Villa’s effort and application was “heroic” in Wednesday night’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The club’s preparations for the game consisted of only three days' training after a COVID-19 outbreak caused the first-team squad and staff to self-isolate.

But despite that, Villa kept the title chasers at bay with a mixture of last-ditch tackles, brave blocks and organised defending before City broke through in controversial fashion with just over 10 minutes left.

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Smith said: “I’m frustrated. There were long periods where we had to defend and defend well because they’re a very good team.

“I think we can play better, but that was heroic considering we’ve had three days' training. Some of these lads for the last 10 days have been on exercise bikes and running machines to keep their fitness up, so it was heroic in that sense.

“I felt we were sloppy. We looked leggy but that’s understandable and we did show some signs of our quality. There was an awful lot of team spirit, which is what we’re about.

“We made it difficult for them, got some blocks and made some terrific clearances but unfortunately we’ve been undone by two unjust goals.”

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Rodrigo was coming back from an offside position when he dispossessed Tyrone Mings and set-up City’s opener before Matty Cash was harshly penalised for handball in stoppage time.

While unhappy with how the goals were scored, Smith believes his team can take plenty of heart from their performance in Manchester.

He said: “We can take away a lot from the fact that these players don’t know when they’re beaten and they put their bodies on the line for the football club.

“There’s a terrific team spirit about them and they’re low in the dressing room because they feel like they deserved something out of this game.

“We can take a lot of positives out of this game.”