Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has admitted that he could not explain how his side succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Villa have been on course for a routine win, Danny Ings and John McGinn giving the home team a 2-0 lead heading into the final quarter.
However, Wolves netted three times from the 80th minute onwards, their victory being sealed by a deflected Ruben Neves free kick four minutes into added-on time.
Smith has acknowledged that the setback against their fierce rivals was "painful", insisting that Wolves still were still able to prevail despite no obvious momentum shift occurring during the closing stages.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Smith said: "I find it difficult to explain because it should have been a victory. We were comfortable and we didn't see that coming. Three set-pieces have cost us three goals. You have to defend better when goals get put in the box in the last 10 minutes. There were frantic clearances so that was a disappointment today.
"I never felt there was a momentum shift. There were a few second balls that we didn't pick up. We defended the box quite well in open play but it was the set-pieces.
"The actual free kick or goal I have no complaints. That happens. It's how they get to that... We had a throw-in which we gave away then Traore comes inside and we give a foul away.
"It's a painful defeat because it's one we should have had. The performance was better than Tottenham but you have to defend the box better. It hurts because it's a football match and I'm a football manager."
While Wolves have moved into eighth position in the Premier League standings, Villa have dropped down to 12th spot.
Darren Plant
