Express & Star

Aston Villa v Man City: Underdogs have more optimism ahead of huge challenge

Though Villa remain big underdogs for tomorrow’s clash with Manchester City, it is also true they are approaching the challenge with a little more optimism than looked likely just a fortnight ago.

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Encouraging performances away to both Burnley and Leicester has helped to restore some of the belief which had been battered during a miserable run of five defeats in six matches through December.

And while it is a recovery which remains very much in its infancy, there is unquestionably less pressure on Dean Smith ahead of City’s visit than there would have been had the slide not been halted.

Smith is still demanding a big improvement from despite a performance in Wednesday’s 1-1 Carabao Cup semi-final draw at Leicester which was lauded in many quarters.

The chief concern for the head coach remains his team’s tendency to be wasteful on the ball, a habit which cost them dear on Wednesday, when the Foxes capitalised on hesitation by Douglas Luiz in order to equalise late on.

“I felt the players coming off the pitch were disappointed because we conceded a farcical goal,” said Smith.

“They were disappointed we did not manage to hold out. I am not silly enough to ignore the fact they had too much possession for my liking and a few chances where Nyland has had to make very good saves.

“My biggest gripe is we have got to be better on the ball than we were. I felt we surrendered possession too easily.

“That was not because we did not have an established centre-forward. It was because we were not good enough on the night and gave too many cheap passes away. If you do that against a Manchester City, or a Liverpool, you will get punished.”

With Jonathan Kodjia still struggling with illness and Keinan Davis having suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, Anwar El Ghazi is again likely to be utilised as a makeshift striker.

Smith was non-committal when asked whether Kodjia, who is yet to start in the Premier League, would still be at the club come the end of January.

For the moment Villa’s focus is on bolstering their forward line but while they are still pushing for a number of targets, no deals are close.

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater remains their only addition so far and the 29-year-old is expected to be in the squad and might even start.

“He’s a talented player, holds a medal for a Premier League champion but his career has stalled with his move to Chelsea not going as he would have liked.

“He is putting himself in contention. Just one player who is fresh faced can make a difference to the rest of the squad.

“He’s a winner, we spoke a lot in the dressing room about what it took to get promoted last season. It takes that winner’s mentality and player with the experience he has got can only help the dressing room.”