Aston Villa need to wise-up in the Premier League, admits Anwar El Ghazi
Anwar El Ghazi has warned newly-promoted Villa they must quickly wise-up after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth left them without a point in the Premier League.
Villa paid the price for a nightmare start in their home opener, conceding twice in the opening 12 minutes following mistakes by goalkeeper Tom Heaton and midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Though Luiz pulled one back with a stunning strike in the second half, Dean Smith’s men were unable to find a leveller.
Winger El Ghazi said: “It was a harsh lesson. We are playing in the Premier League now not the Championship. Every mistake we make will become a big one.
“That’s what the coach said. We need to be clever and focused for 90 minutes long.
“We’re in the hardest league in the world now. We can’t be sloppy. We can’t pass badly. We have to be more clever in all areas of the pitch.”
El Ghazi found positives in Villa’s response after falling two goals behind. Smith’s team now host Everton on Friday night eager to put their first points on the board.
“Friday is a new chance. We have to be positive,” he said. “Nothing has happened yet. We’ve played just two games.
“There’s not a lot of pressure yet, we just know we need the points to show what Aston Villa is. Friday is a new chance.”
Harry Wilson got what proved to be the winner for the Cherries with a shot which took a huge deflection off Tyrone Mings, after Luiz had allowed the ball to run through his legs deep in his own half.
Josh King had earlier put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot, after Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton had upended Callum Wilson in the box just 41 seconds into his home debut.
Bournemouth keeper Aaron Ramsdale, who pulled off a number of saves as Villa pushed for a way back, later admitted some sympathy with his counterpart.
“I did feel a bit for Tom (Heaton) when that happened,” said Ramsdale. “I've spoke to him after the match. Obviously it was his home debut.
“After the game you can feel sorry for him and have a bit of sympathy but obviously while it was going on I was delighted.
“First time I've been here – I didn't realise how big it was. But our fans were loud. They gave us a real boost.”
