Dean Smith: Criticism of Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland is unfair

Nyland is again under the spotlight after Wednesday's thrilling 5-5 draw with Nottingham Forest, when he was beaten at his near post as Lewis Grabban salvaged a point for the visitors with an 82nd-minute equaliser.

There were also question marks over his positioning for Joe Lolley’s 30-yard strike earlier in the game. The Norwegian international has struggled with inconsistent form since joining Villa from German Second Division club Ingolstadt in August.

But Smith said: “I think the criticism he has received is harsh. On Wednesday, he didn’t have a chance for the first three goals. They were big chances for any team and I would expect us to score them against any goalkeeper.

“The fourth one (Lolley’s goal), you analyse it and see where it has gone into the net. I looked back this morning and you think: ‘I want my goalkeeper to get a hand on it’. That said, I cannot get away from the fact I was right behind it on Wednesday and as soon as it left his foot I thought: ‘That is a goal’.

“I can’t take that initial reaction away and the feeling I had on the night. It was a super strike and sat up nicely for him.

“The one Orjan will probably be disappointed with his the fifth one, even though it takes a flick off Axel Tuanzebe’s heel.

“It was a tough one to react for, but you don’t want to see it go in. Up until then, at Derby County for example, he has pulled of great saves and looked more commanding. I think the criticism is unfair.”

Nyland kept three clean sheets in Smith’s first five games in charge, but has now conceded seven in the last two.

The boss believes the arrival of goalkeeper coach Neil Cutler earlier this month has helped the 28-year-old’s game.

Smith continued: “I can only comment on what I have seen since I have been here. Yes, he has had a couple of hairy moments, where he has spilled a couple of crosses.

“But I can honestly say since Neil Cutler has come in and been working with him, I have seen a lot of confidence in him. I think the players have got a lot of confidence in him now.

“I was stating a fact on Wednesday night that they had five shots on target and scored five goals. Four of those I don’t think he had any chance with.”