Jack Grealish was unable to help Aston Villa pick up the three points last night.
Grealish has set high standards of himself over the years at Villa, with his performances last season outstanding.
The playmaker still seems to be adapting to playing in the Premier League though, and he is yet to show his very best since Villa’s promotion.
The claret and blues drew 0-0 last night, with Grealish arguably having Smith’s side’s best chance to win the contest, but he fluffed his lines when well placed.
Ultimately Villa could not break down West Ham’s defence, even with their numerical advantage.
And Smith felt that Grealish could have offered Villa more in the final third.
“I thought his final delivery wasn’t quite as good as we expect of him,” he said.
“But then again, he created a really good chance for Wesley when he went down the outside, made a great run where Jota slipped him in, he put a great cross in for Wesley and he headed over.
“I said to the players before the game that they’re in charge of their own performance because that’s what they can control.
“They’re all giving a lot of effort but the quality was just lacking from us, especially in that last 20.”
Villa’s players looked disappointed at full-time, as they appeared to let an opportunity to get three points slip.
Smith’s men still only have one win to their name this term, but their draw last night did at least take them out of the relegation zone at this early stage of the season.
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