David Artell has told the club’s official website that the performance of Dean Smith’s Aston Villa’s side at Crewe Alexandra set the benchmark of the standard  needed to be successful.

Artell was impressed with how the Premier League side approached the League Cup tie at Gresty Road and says that they thoroughly deserved their victory, albeit not by such a heavy score line. Aston Villa won 6-1 at Gresty Road but that didn’t totally reflect how well the Alex played at certain stages of the game.

The Alex boss told the club’s official website: “You have to give Dean Smith, his staff and players a lot of credit because there were exceptional on the night. They approached the game really well and knew they had to be at it.

“That is the standard and it was good for our own players to see what the standard is. We matched that at times but the Villa players were consistent throughout and that is why they are Premier League players.

“We defended softly at times and we were disappointed with some of the goals, especially the ones from the corners but we had a lot of possession at times in the game and created chances. Owen Dale could have scored a hat-trick on the night.

“We went toe-to-toe with a Premier League side and they were ruthless in their finishing.”