DBasia.news – Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said “hard work and effort” was the key to his team’s success when they beat Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park on Monday (5/10).
Ollie Watkins hat-trick, Jack Grealish brace, and one goal each from John McGinn and Ross Barkley brought Aston Villa to destroy the Reds who appeared without Alisson Becker due to a shoulder injury.
It was Aston Villa’s third Premier League win this season, leaving them second in the table with a game in hand against Manchester City.
Some managers have figured out how to beat Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing strategy, but Dean Smith found something that allowed Villa to crush the reigning Premier League champions.
Asked what his secret was, he told Sky Sports: “It was just hard work and effort. Work ethic, when Jurgen Klopp says wow to you, you know you’ve done something right. The players were amazing, they executed the game plan perfectly. We are in the best condition today.”
“The biggest regret is that there are no supporters here with us, I hope they enjoy it from their home. It was a great achievement for the players, they worked really hard.”
“If you are beaten by Liverpool, they beat you because they have extraordinary talent. Even at 5-2, you are not sure if it is appropriate because of how good they are.”