Ruben: We deserved so much more

The Reds were done by two superb Morgan Rogers strikes, despite Matheus Cunha's reply, and, while accepting the result will be the only thing that counts, our head coach could definitely see positives in the way his side dealt with trying circumstances.

Already without Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Casemiro, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, there was another blow before kick-off when it was revealed Kobbie Mainoo was unavailable due to injury.

To compound matters, skipper Bruno Fernandes did not reappear for the second half after clearly looking in a great deal of discomfort.

It all led to senior debuts for Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey, earning congratulations from Ruben, but it is all about preparing for Newcastle United on Boxing Day now.

Here is some of what the boss had to say to BBC, Sky Sports and MUTV after the game at Villa Park...

NO LUCK

"I think we were the better team today. We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno, but, during the game, even without him, we were the better team. We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no-one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result."

DIFFERENT XIS

"We already knew that Aston Villa play with everybody inside and we needed to overload that situation. We have been training like that. We did different options, we can use different starting XIs depending on the game, so we are improving. Again, I think we deserved so much more today but the better team did not win. I saw, from the beginning of the season, a team that is going forward, but sometimes relax a little bit and, sometimes, is not there in the right moment to fight. Today was completely the opposite, we were the better team against a team that is strong at home and in a very good run. We were really unlucky today."

WE'RE IMPROVING

"I think we are improving in the last games. We have a lot of issues to solve, for all the problems we are dealing with lately, I think we did a very good job. Like the other matches, even when we win, I am always saying let's not just focus on the result. It's painful, of course, but focus on the performance and the performance was good. So we need to continue that and take it for the next game."

INJURY ISSUES

"It is really strange. During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that. I think Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game."

TRUSTING THE ACADEMY

"I am a manager for six years and even Sporting is all about the Academy, so it's about the history. Every manager wants to bring players through from the Academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager. I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the Academy are not going to suffer too much. I'm just trying to help the club, it doesn't matter if it's from the Academy or abroad."

WELL DONE TO THE KIDS

"Of course. They work really hard for that. Congratulations to all the coaches in our Academy. We are just trying to do everything at the same time, improving the team and trying to protect the kids, for them to play at the right moment. In this moment, we need the kids and they will grow up. I am really happy with them."

NEWCASTLE NEXT

"We need to prepare all the guys that we have for the next game. We cannot use anything as an excuse. No-one is going to remember these problems, so let's cope with that. It will make us stronger."