Express & Star

Anwar El Ghazi: Aston Villa must look forward

Wing ace Anwar El Ghazi has warned Villa there can be no time for sulking over Friday night’s derby frustration as they continue to chase the Championship top six.

Published
Last updated

The 23-year-old Lille loanee’s brace looked to have earned Dean Smith’s men victory over rivals Albion at The Hawthorns, before Jay Rodriguez’s controversial stoppage time equaliser, which went in off the Baggies striker’s hand.

El Ghazi admitted the subsequent 2-2 draw felt like a defeat but he is already targeting a response when Stoke visit Villa Park this Saturday.

He said: “A draw against West Brom is not bad but we had the feeling of losing the game because there were only a few minutes left.

“What happened is tough but that is football. You can’t complain about it. The referee is the boss and he makes the decisions.

“We have to just look to ourselves, look forward and prepare for Stoke on Saturday.

“It’s good to be unbeaten in six games but the reality is we are not in the top six.

“That is our aim and we must work hard for that. We have to win games and we must be solid. We are looking forward to a big game on Saturday again, against Stoke. We need a win to move up the table.”

El Ghazi’s performance at The Hawthorns, which included a stunning 25-yard goal, was a big plus for Villa.

The Ajax academy product, who was making just his second start since September, believes he is now getting to grips with the physical nature of England’s second tier.

“I feel stronger, definitely,” he said. “We train hard. We train short but intense and that is what you need. My body is getting used to that.

“I had a really bad performance against Norwich (in October) but I hadn’t played for one-and-a-half months so my fitness wasn’t good.

“The head coach told me I had to work on my defensive work, so I did that. Now I understand what he is asking from me. I am very happy to fight again for the team, to get my place and I hope I can play more now.”

Asked about his long-range strike, he replied: “After training I practice shooting with my left and right foot. It was an amazing goal. I didn’t expect it at all.

“It was a good run from Ahmed Elmohamady which gave me the time and space to take the shot. I didn’t think. I just hit it and it went in the top corner.”