Dean Ashton critical of Aston Villa trio Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick & Ahmed Elmohamady after West Bromwich Albion defeat

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Aston Villa suffered a damaging defeat against West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Dean Ashton has labelled the ‘disconnect’ between Aston Villa trio Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick and Ahmed Elmohamdy as ‘incredible’ after their 2-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday afternoon.

Dean Smith’s side showcased more vulnerability in defence as Hal Robson Kanu and Jay Rodriquez scored the only goals of the game in the first half.

All three players started the Midlands encounter at Villa Park, with Hutton playing at right-back, Elphick at centre-back and Elmohamady on the right wing.

Nonetheless, former West Ham striker Ashton wasn’t too impressed with Villa’s defending on the right-hand side, despite two defensive-minded players operating that right flank.

“The disconnect between Alan Hutton, Tommy Elphick and Ahmed Elmohamady was just incredible, to be honest,” Ashton told EFL on Quest on 16/02/2019. “Murphy should have made them pay twice.

“When Elphick steps out, Hutton doesn’t come across and cover. I know they have players out. Chester and Tuanzebe, but still to concede from just a simple cross, it’s the basics.

“It’s not something you would say Dean Smith is recognised about because his Brentford team weren’t defensively great either.”

Kanu opened the scoring when Villa switched off from a throw-in on the left-hand side before Mason Holgate’s cross was glanced in off the head of the Albion winger.

Just before the break, Rodriquez doubled his side’s lead when Conor Hourihane’s attempted interception fell into the path of the Albion player who saw his shot deflect off Elphick and hit the post before going in.

West Brom did their damage in the first period where they particularly targetted the wide areas, with Hutton constantly being caught out of position.

After the break, Darren Moore’s side hardly threatened as Villa failed to create any clear cut chances before falling to their third defeat on home soil this season.