, “Total disappointment” – Aston Villa’s Dean Smith reacts after hectic 5-5 thriller against Nottingham Forest

“Total disappointment” – Aston Villa’s Dean Smith reacts after hectic 5-5 thriller against Nottingham Forest

After a mental 5-5 draw with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith couldn’t help but hide his disappointment that his side couldn’t win all three points at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

Wednesday night’s 5-5 draw between Championship promotion candidates Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will surely stay in the memories of football fans for some time. Even after scoring four goals, striker Tammy Abraham couldn’t carry his side over the line and only finished the game with one point.

A seriously disappointing goalkeeping display from Orjan Nyland saw him make no saves at all, conceding five goals from just eight Nottingham Forest shots. Compared to Villa’s 26 attempts and 63% possession, the result has left Aston Villa manager Dean Smith frustrated and shocked.

When asked if he could sum up the game, Smith told the Birmingham Mail:

“I can’t! It’s very difficult to sum up. But I’ve watched all the goals back and there’s things we can do better defensively. 

“Forest have been very clinical, they’ve got a lot of pace in wide areas and down the middle. The first goal they get a little bit of good fortune as Conor and James Chester end up tackling each other. I think Grabban was touch and go whether he was offside but he finished it well.

“The second goal, their lad is trying to switch it to the full-back, he ends up going to their wide player and Jack Grealish nearly cuts it out but then a really good finish.

“I’m thinking six minutes in and I actually thought we had started the game alright. I don’t think our goalkeeper had made a save all game which tells you about how the game went. But the character and the spirit of the players was there to see. We were relentless going forward, scored two good goals to get back in it.

“Then the third ended up an own-goal, I think, as Hutts ended up putting it in. But we can back again with a penalty and I felt getting them in at half-time, we could tidy it up a bit and still be a threat with the players we’ve got.

“You have to give them credit for the fourth goal, it’s a wonderful goal. We were actually in good shape for once and you just say, ‘go on then shoot’. He’s hit one from 30 yards very well.

“We got back in it again with Tammy’s fourth, took the lead soon after and then you expect us to hold on with the man advantage.

“But unfortunately with ten men we got caught following men and they passed it through us. And even that goal gets a little deflection off Axel’s heel, but Grabban is very good at that.”

Despite feeling shocked after spectating on a 10-goal thriller, Smith couldn’t hide his disappointment at not being able to win the match.

“In the end it’s total disappointment. I always felt we were in control of the game. I know that sounds weird But we’ve had 26 attempts compared to their eight and our goalkeeper hasn’t made a save.

“I’m devastated for the players because I wanted another three points at Villa Park. But I appreciate the home crowd for seeing what we’re trying to do here.

“We just need to tighten up a little bit. Sometimes it’s just the run of the ball that doesn’t go for you. You have to give them credit too. They’ve done well.

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