Marcus Bignot insists there is encouragement going into the rest of the season, following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
The result at Leigh Sports Village capped a difficult week which also saw Villa fall to a 4-0 reverse at home to Arsenal.
While there were positives to take from the contest with the Gunners, in the sense that Villa were well and truly in the game on the hour, United asserted their authority on proceedings much sooner.
“We wanted to come up here and not lose" admitted Bignot.
"The manner in which we came in at half-time was disappointing.
"The second half was encouraging, in terms of finishers coming on and making an impact.
"Changes in personnel and in certain units has given us a lot of encouragement going into the Brighton game.”
Despite confessing the wealth of attacking ability within the opponent's ranks, Bignot lamented the manner in which the opening two goals were conceded.
“(The first half performance) didn’t help. It’s 2-0 and you’re out of the game" he said.
"The first goal was a deflected shot from giving away possession, which we’d identified as one of Manchester United’s strengths.
"To fall into that trap is disappointing. The second goal was right on the stroke of half-time, and it’s not going to happen anymore.
"There has to be accountability. You can’t allow players to have free headers in your box at any level.
"We really have to hone in on that and take pride in our defending. I really enjoyed the response the players gave in the second half.”
Part of that response was the introduction of Nadine Hanssen and Emma Follis at the interval.
The improved display will have done those two no harm at all, as the coaching staff now look ahead to preparing for the visit of Hope Powell and Brighton & Hove Albion next week.
“After the six weeks and four games that I’ve been here, I’m very clear on where we’re at as a group" stressed Bignot.
"I’m looking forward to building towards Brighton, and I don’t think anyone can predict or pick the team for that game because players have come in and impressed.”
As was seen in the way the squad bounced back from defeat against Chelsea in Bignot's very first game in charge, the manager is of the belief that lessons will be learnt and adaptations will be made accoridngly.
“In losses, you certainly learn more about your group.
"We saw that in the Tottenham game, where we took the lessons from the Chelsea game and applied them.
I saw their mindset change (at half-time on Sunday), and I was happy and pleased with that. That will stand us in good stead going into the Brighton game.”