Gaffer on League Cup defeat to lethal Villa.

David Artell says it was a ‘real mixed bag’ this evening as his Crewe Alexandra side were heavily beaten 6-1 by Premier League side Aston Villa.

Crewe played some really good stuff in patches this evening but met an Aston Villa side who showed their high class in finishing.

Artell was right in his post-match interview afterwards that goals change games and Crewe went close on a number of occasions but couldn’t find that finish to remain in the tie. At 2-0 it was tough, at 3-0 it was well and truly over as a competitive tie.

The Alex boss told the club’s official website: “We played well in patches and at other times we were soft as crap. We have gifted them some goals, the goals from corners were abysmal so there are plenty things to work on.

“We did okay at times and we thoroughly deserved to score the goal we did. We probably deserved a bit more but Aston Villa were ruthless and that is the difference. The gap in class was significantly there at times and their goals changed the games but we didn’t half help them at times with the goals we conceded. We gifted them some and that is disappointing.

“It is those little moments but you make your own luck. We didn’t start well again and we have done that again so we need to stop to that. 

“We were good at times, so it was a real mixed bag from us. It was a great barometer for our young players this evening and what they need to aspire to be.

The boss added: “All credit to Dean and his players, they were clinical and thoroughly deserved their win this evening but our fans are a knowledgeable bunch and they know where we are and the gap in quality at times.”