Aston Villa drew 2-2 with Stoke City at Villa Park this afternoon.
Dean Smith has told Aston Villa’s official website that John McGinn was mostly to blame for his side going behind this afternoon.
Joe Allen fired Stoke City into a 1-0 lead at Villa Park, before a Tammy Abraham penalty on 73 minutes restored parity.
Jonathan Kodjia then rescued a late point for Aston Villa on 84 minutes after a Benik Afobe penalty seemed like it was going to give Smith’s side their first defeat in six games.
Allen rifled home the opener on 47 minutes, beating the Aston Villa midfielder to a loose ball, and Smith reckons that McGinn’s strategy was all wrong at that particular moment.
He told Villa’s official website: “Joe Allen has finished his well. John McGinn has tried to block him off when he should probably have tried to drop into the space he’s going into.”
The Villans showed an abundance of character to twice from behind to rescue the draw, but Smith’s side have much bigger games on the horizon and his troops will need to be better – a lot better.
Next up for the Villa is the visit of top-of-the-table Leeds United next Sunday and, considering that the Whites have won five on the spin, the hosts will need to bring their A-game to Villa Park that night.
Anything less than that and Marcelo Bielsa’s side could have an absolute field day.
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