Dean Smith 'disappointed but proud' of Aston Villa performance in defeat to Liverpool

For much of the afternoon, Smith’s men looked destined to inflict a first league defeat since January on the Reds when they led through Trezeguet’s 21st minute volley.

But Andy Robertson finally broke their resistance when he levelled in the 87th minute, before Sadio Mane headed a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Smith said: "I've told the players I am disappointed for them but proud of them.

“I’m proud to have taken on the best team at the moment domestically and probably one of the best teams in Europe - if not the world.

“We've gone toe-to-toe with them. I'm proud but also hurt because we deserved something out of that game.”

Villa took the lead when Trezeguet volleyed home John McGinn’s free-kick. It was the Egypt international’s first goal for the club since his summer move from Kasimpasa.

Smith said: "I was really pleased. It was a free-kick we've been working on yesterday and I'm pleased we've got a good set-piece goal, we haven't been too good at them this season.

"We started the game well, looked a threat and had the best chance in the first minute with Anwar El Ghazi and their goalkeeper making a good save. It wasn't one-way traffic.

“I thought our fans were magnificent, made a load of noise and gave the players that extra edge you need against a time like this. I can't pick out any individual. They were all good performances.”

Villa were without Jack Grealish after the skipper failed to shake of the calf injury sustained in last week’s defeat at Manchester City.

Smith expects the 24-year-old to be back for next week’s derby at Wolves.

He explained: "He trained yesterday and felt it this morning and didn't feel it was 100 per cent.

“I told him I needed him at 100 per cent, we're playing against one of the top teams in the world.

“We needed players who are 100 per cent and he held his hand up. He'll be good for next week at Wolves.”