McLeish rues lack of killer instinct

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish says he is frustrated by his side’s inability to convert possession in the final third into meaningful chances.

Villa remain unbeaten in the English Premier League after a 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton on Saturday.

But McLeish believes the lack of a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch is holding his team back.

“We were getting in good positions but didn’t get enough service to main man Darren Bent again,” McLeish told Sky Sports.

“He is a bit frustrated in the dressing room now, but it only takes one chance for him and he so very nearly won it for us late on.”

“(Wolves boss) Mick McCarthy made changes, he had defensive midfielders to draw on and that took the sting out of the game, it stopped our momentum – no doubt about it – so it was a good choice he made.”

“I thought in the second half we were in full control of the game and we flashed a few balls across the face of goal.”

“There were a few shooting opportunities even in the first half that we reneged on, but in the second period we mis-kicked or pulled our shots a lot. (Gabriel) Agbonlahor had one, (Charles) N’Zogbia had two or three.”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was staying grounded after the stalemate also saw his side stay undefeated after three Premier League matches this term.

Wolves narrowly escaped relegation last term and have started the new campaign with two wins and Saturday’s draw against their Midlands rivals.

“I thought we could have had 47 points last season. I was thrilled we stayed up but I don’t want it to be that way again,” McCarthy said.

“But there are only three games gone, there are 35 still to play so, while we will enjoy the start we’ve had, I’m hugely wary of what can come.

“You can get on a bad run of form and lose four or five games in this league and wonder how they’ve all gone by.”