MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 19:57:37| >> :120:4425:4425:

Dean Smith hopes Anwar El Ghazi's confidence is boosted by Wolves winner

Dean Smith hopes Anwar El Ghazi's confidence is boosted by Wolves winner
© Reuters
Anwar El Ghazi scored a last-minute penalty after coming off the bench.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith hopes Anwar El Ghazi's match-winning cameo against Wolves will boost the winger's confidence.

El Ghazi is yet to start a Premier League game this season but came on for the last 15 minutes of last Saturday's derby and converted the winning penalty in the 90th minute.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday's clash with Burnley, Smith said: "Anwar is competing this season with Jack (Grealish), Trezeguet and (Bertrand) Traore and he's found it difficult to break in so far.

"But, whenever he's stepped up. he's played well. He's a top player, we know that, one of the major reasons we're in this league.

"The goal and the penalty will have done him the world of good. By coming on the pitch and scoring that goal, it will certainly lift his confidence.

"Over the last two weeks, certainly in training, I've seen a marked difference in his application and attitude to training, to wanting to get back into the team."

El Ghazi has faced persistent criticism from some Villa fans and deactivated his Twitter account earlier this season after receiving abusive messages.

Defender Tyrone Mings took to the social media platform after Saturday's match, writing: "Good morning villains. I really hope all you who were berating and hounding El Ghazi enough to make him suspend his social media, are in his DM's today, apologising. A team game utilises a WHOLE squad and we need everyone... may your apology be as loud as the disrespect."

Smith is not a fan of social media, saying: "I'd be happy if a lot of the players came off social media. I'm not on it myself.

"It is a platform for pats on the back but also critique as well and, if it gets too much then, for me, for the mental health of anybody, not just footballers, then get off there."

Villa sit in 10th in the Premier League table, seven places and nine points above Burnley, who climbed out of the relegation zone by beating Arsenal on Sunday.

That was only the Clarets' second victory of the season, and Smith added: "They've obviously not had the start to the season that (manager) Sean (Dyche) would have wanted for them.

"But you just look at their last four of five performances, bar the Manchester City one, they've been performing well and very difficult to play against, very difficult to score against, and got a deserved win in the end at Arsenal."

Villa will assess Ross Barkley as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem while Tom Heaton could be involved in the matchday squad for the first time since he suffered a serious knee injury against his former club Burnley nearly a year ago.

Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash are both suspended while Trezeguet misses out with a hamstring injury.

ID:426620: cacheID:426620:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4757:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on November 22, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League gameweek 13 predictions including Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!