Dean Smith: Aston Villa got what they deserved
Dean Smith admitted Villa probably got what they deserved after they were denied victory at Newcastle by Jamal Lascelles’ last-gasp leveller.
Magpies skipper Lascelles headed home with virtually the last action of the match to extend Villa’s winless run to three matches.
A freak own goal four minutes from time by Villa academy product Ciaran Clark appeared to have gifted the visitors victory but after missing chances to then kill the game off, they were promptly stung at the death.
Despite the sickening nature of the result, an honest Smith admitted his team had not played well enough over the 90 minutes to earn a victory.
“It is two points dropped when you are scoring in the 86th minute or whatever it was,” said Smith.
“We were fortunate to score the goal but you certainly take them and we had the opportunity to finish the game off.
“We had an opportunity four against three but messed it up. Then we messed a few clearances up and they score with 10 seconds to go.
“I can’t be too hard on the players because we haven’t dropped too many points from winning positions this season and defensively we have been heroic at times.
“But there is a feeling of disappointment. We didn’t deserve to win the game. It wasn’t a game for the purists. They probably had the best chances but we should see it out.”
Winger Bertrand Traore will be assessed after suffering a rib injury when he collided with an advertising hoarding early in the game.
