Aston Villa drew at Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has told the Birmingham Mail that he saw encouraging signs from his players in the second half at Stoke City.
Villa travelled to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon after a run of three wins in 15 games, and they were in danger of losing at Stoke.
New Stoke signing Sam Vokes scored his first goal for the Potters with a fifth-minute opener, with Villa hugely disappointing in the first half.
However, they did pick up after the break, and a strong run and cross from Anwar El Ghazi found Albert Adomah, who fired Villa level.
Villa pushed for a winner, with Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings both forcing fine saves from Jack Butland in the Stoke goal, but it finished all square at 1-1.
Villa boss Smith will be pleased to have avoided defeat, and with his side’s second half performance, which was a huge improvement.
Smith noted that he told his players that he expected a big reaction, and feels he saw an ‘encouraging sign’ because his players moved the ball quicker and showed more intensity; aspects they must now carry forward.
“I thought there needed to be more composure all over the pitch in the first half – from both sides,” said Smith. “I can accept mistakes, they happen in every walk of life. But I told my players I wanted a reaction and they showed me that in the second half.”
“We moved the ball quicker, with less touches and more intensity. That’s an encouraging sign for me,” he added.
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