Ezri Konsa cut a frustrated figure after Aston Villa lost to Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Players and staff were upset with the decision to allow the hosts’ first goal to stand, paving the way for a 2-0 win.
Konsa was dismayed by the outcome but believes Villa once again showed they can compete with the top teams in the league.
He said: “It was a frustrating one with the decision for the first goal. We didn’t know that was the rule and we all believed it was offside.
“Overall, I thought we put in a great shift against a top team, and we had chances as well as them.
“If we’d have put our chances away, we would have come away with something.”
Konsa and his teammates made block-after-block and crucial tackles time and again to keep City out until the 79th minute.
And their threat on the counter-attack meant that the home side never felt comfortable until Ilkay Gundogan tucked home a stoppage time penalty.
The defender says Villa can take away a lot from their display at the Etihad.
“It sums us up this season, the way we’ve been working as a defensive unit with everyone defending together," he said.
“Against a top team, they’re going to have their moments. I thought we defended the box really well.
“Having three days build-up to Manchester City isn’t easy, but we knew that coming into this game we could get something.
“We’ve shown this season that we’re not scared to play against the top teams, and we don’t fear anyone.
“We believed that we could of come here and got something, but unfortunately it didn’t go our way today.”
