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Dean Smith frustrated by Aston Villa performance in defeat to Leeds

A frustrated Dean Smith called on Villa to learn the lessons from their first defeat of the Premier League season.

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Patrick Bamford netted a second half hat-trick as Leeds ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Villa Park last night, denying the hosts the chance to go top of the table.

The striker’s goals came in the space of just 19 minutes and Smith admitted disappointment at the way his team had responded to falling behind for the first time in the league this season.

Jack Grealish had earlier gone close to breaking the deadlock when he saw a shot cleared off the line, while the Villa skipper was also denied by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.

Smith said: “I was frustrated, certainly with the second half. I thought it was even at half-time, they had chances and we had chances.

“We know they are a good team and are going to create things. We matched that in the first half.

“Games change on big moments. Jack Grealish goes on a mazy run and the goalkeeper ends up making a good save. Two minutes later they go up the other end and score.

“I felt that changed the game. They gained a yard and we lost a yard. They looked a good team after that and we looked a poor team.

“We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had.

"Who knows what would have happened if we had scored? That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we didn't handle it very well."

Victory would have seen Smith’s team become the first in Villa’s history to win their opening five league matches.

“We knew we could make history today with five wins at the start of a season and we're disappointed we haven't done that,” said Smith. “If someone offered 12 points from five games we would have taken it.

“I’ve told the players that after the first goal our reactions weren’t as good as they should have been.

“If you are going to have that then you are going to concede goals. You have to give credit to Leeds. I thought they were excellent in the second half with their one-touch passing and their running. They comfortably beat us.

"I was disappointed after the first goal - I thought we lost the game after the first goal, we got disillusioned and they were very good.

“But I also said to the players I have only been disappointed with 40 minutes so far this season.”

Villa’s trip to West Ham has been moved back 48 hours to Monday, November 30 (kick-off 8pm). The match will be shown live on Sky Sports.