Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has backed his struggling team to pull off "Mission Impossible" by getting a result at champions Liverpool on Sunday and boost their hopes of staying in the Premier League.
"People will see our game at Liverpool as Mission Impossible - unfortunately we haven't got Tom Cruise with us but I've got 11 players and I've seen a desire in their eyes," Smith said ahead of the clash at Anfield.
Villa are 18th in the league with 27 points from 32 matches, having won only seven matches in the current campaign despite spending close to £150 million (Dh687m) to overhaul their squad during the close season.
The 1-0 loss at Wolves last week was their 19th of the campaign, with Villa seeking their first win since the league restarted following the Covid-19 stoppage.
"They feel stung by criticism, you're going to get criticism when you're in a position we're in. Their job is to prove people wrong. Without a doubt, we've seen a better Villa after the break," Smith added.
"The points tally hasn't shown that, we played Wolves last week and they're pushing for the Champions League... there was nothing between the two teams. The only quality on show was the goal.
"If we manage to stay up this season, which I believe we will, there'll be a better Villa next year. I've still not been relegated as a manager and don't expect to be this season."
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Orjan Nyland - 6: Almost gifted Wolves the lead when ball slipped out of hand when throwing out but Jota failed to capitalise. No chance with goal. Reuters -
Ezri Konsa - 6: Right-back did OK up against the dangerous Jonny. Reuters -
Kortney Hause - 7: Good game from the powerful defender who was up against an in-form Jimenez.. EPA -
Tyrone Mings - 6: Clumsy early booking and resulting free-kick almost resulted in a goal for Jimenez. Reuters -
Matt Targett - NA: Picked up hamstring injury in first 10 minutes. EPA -
Marvelous Nakamba - 6: Zimbabwean midfielder put in a decent shift without really influencing the game. PA -
Douglas Luiz - 8: As important to Villa as Grealish. Great engine, strong in the tackle and quality distribution from the centre-midfielder. Getty -
Conor Hourihane - 5: Quiet performance and provided little service to the strikers. AP -
Jack Grealish - 6: Given his preferred free role and covered some ground over the 90 minutes without much success. Had Villa's only shot on target comfortably saved by Patrício. Reuters -
Mbwana Samatta - 5: Thankless task for Villa's attacking pair who were left to feed off crumbs. AFP -
Keinan Davis - 5: Offered little threat but was starved of service. EPA -
Neil Taylor (sub Targett 11) 7: Early introduction after Targett's injury. Did well up against a good player in Wolves wing-back Doherty. PA -
Ahmed Elmohamady - (sub Konsa 60) 5: No repeat of substitute's goal heroics at Newcastle. Reauters -
John McGinn - (sub Hourihane 60) 5: Still finding his form after returning from injury. AFP -
Trezeguet - (sub Nakamba 82) NA: No time to make an impact. AFP -
Anwar El Ghazi - (sub Davis 82) NA: No time to make an impact -
Rui Patricio - 6: Barely had a save to make with Villa offering little threat going forward. EPA -
Romain Saiss - 7: Played his part in an excellent Wolves defensive performance. Getty -
Conor Coady - 8: Fine display from the Wolves captain. Coped easily with Villa's direct play and battering-ram forward pair. Great distribution from back -
Willy Boly - 7: Solid from the big defender. One important block on Grealish to stop the Villa midfielder shooting at goal in second half. Reuters -
Matt Doherty - 6: Blasted into side netting in first half when ball across box was much better option. Reuters -
Leander Dendoncker - 8: Great finish for opening goal and could have scored another from a Moutinho corner soon after. Reuters -
Diogo Jota - 5: Blazed woefully over the bar after Villa keeper threw ball straight to his feet in first half. PA -
Jonny - 7: Spaniard was a real handful down the left. A constant menace. Getty -
Ruben Neves - 7: Always busy in the centre of the park for Wolves. Reuters -
Joao Moutinho - 7: Some nice link-up play and passing from the Portuguese midfielder. AFP -
Raul Jimenez - 8: No goals this time but always a threat up front. Headed straight at Nyland in first half after clever free-kick from Moutinho. Lovely ball into box that led to the Dendoncker goal. AP -
Adama Traore - (sub Jota 60) 7: Pace immediately caused problems for Villa. AFP -
Neto - (sub Jimenez 85): No time to make an impact. EPA
