O'SHEA ON LEARNING LESSONS FROM VILLA DEFEAT

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Defender disappointed with result but keen to learn from it

2023-08-27T17:02:40.734Z

O'SHEA ON LEARNING LESSONS FROM VILLA DEFEAT

Defender disappointed with result but keen to learn from it

2023-08-27T17:02:40.734Z

Defender disappointed with result but keen to learn from it

Clarets defender Dara O'Shea had mixed emotions following Burnley's loss to Aston Villa in their second Premier League game of the campaign.

Reflecting on the performance, the defender whilst disappointed with the result, believes there's positives to take forward.

“It’s massively disappointing to lose a game like that, we never want to lose a game but there’s a lot to learn from today, especially in that first half. A lot of positives to take from it too, we created a lot of chances against a really good, well organised Villa side. I think we’ve got to be proud of that but also take into account that we need to finish our chances and take them, and the game could end up in a different state because of that.”

Within 20 minutes the Clarets had a big task ahead of them, with Matty Cash scoring a brace early on.

“Yeah, it’s tough to concede early, obviously we need to look at ourselves as a whole team and especially us at the back, we’ve got to be proud of keeping clean sheets and not conceding early. Yeah, when you go 2-0 down, it kind of changes things that maybe we had planned to do in the game, we get a bit impatient and start forcing balls that we shouldn’t be playing.

“The second half was a different game I thought, we had time to regroup at half-time, the gaffer got his message across, we got that goal early on and I thought we had a bit of momentum to push on and it didn’t end up to be.”

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A half-time team talk from the manager saw the squad came out full of energy and a Lyle Foster goal reduce the deficit early on.

“Yeah, and there were slight tactical changes which helped the flow of the game and yes just to be more patient on the ball, keep getting the ball into the wide areas and cause Villa problems. They play quite a high line, and we were trying to disrupt that by kind of making third man runs and getting the wide players on the ball which I think that we did well.

“The second half was a lot better than the first half, so I think we’ve got to take the positives from that, but look back on that first half, really dissect it and see where we went wrong.”

Aston Villa were in good form coming into the game, making it a tough challenge, however O'Shea is confident that the team will continue to develop and improve.

“Any team in the Premier League is going to be a tough test and a side like Villa who are really organised and really well drilled - its going to be tough against them. We’ve got to take pride from what we’ve done today, take the positives from it, you know we’re a young side, still learning, a lot of new faces in this group, a lot of information to take onboard and I think so far, the group’s doing really well together and we’re only going to get stronger as a team. This is what the gaffer has drilled into us, and I think everyone believes that as well which is massive.”

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With a new squad coming together, O'Shea believes time on the training pitch will help the squad gel and make all the difference moving forwards.

“Definitely, I mean time on the training pitch is invaluable, especially in the meeting room as well, we learn lots, there’s lots of information to take onboard which takes time - it’s not going to come and click straight away. I suppose that’s the process playing for Burnley under this manager, the expectations are high, but the standards are there and it’s going to take a bit of time. We can’t rely on just taking time though, we’ve got to crack on with it and learn, get on with it and do the best we can.”

The Clarets don't have long to dwell on the result, with a Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest on the horizon - and the 24-year-old sees the quick turnaround as a positive.

“It’s great to have a game straight away after a loss, you know it’s what you want, we wanted that last time out against City, we wanted a game quickly and unfortunately our game was postponed which was a bit of a bummer. Yes it’s an exciting time to get off to winning ways, we’re really hungry to get that first competitive win and that's what we’ll be pushing for.”