Manager Provides His Thoughts Following Villa Game

Manager Frank Lampard gave his reaction to this afternoon's 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa - and he was keen to stress his side's reaction to the loss will be key.

Three second half goals for the visitors sealed the win for Dean Smith’s side at Pride Park Stadium and following the game, the manager told RamsTV.

“They deserved to win, purely on the second half.

“They created a number of chances, we gave the ball away far too easily and it’s a good wake up call up and a good reminder for all of us here.

“People were getting excited, and it wasn’t me, about the performances and results. That’s what happens in football sometimes, so we were well beaten in the second half.

“We had the better chances in the first half. It was even but we had two good chances that you would hope to stick one away, but we didn’t. We were still in the game at 0-0 but it was all about the second half then.

“We have been on a good run of form but these runs can come to an end. We are in a competitive league but our reaction now is key.”

The Rams were hit with a number of injuries during the game - with Mason Bennett and Craig Forsyth forced off in the second period - and the manager gave an update on their situations.

“It was a hamstring injury for Mason Bennett as we could all see so we will assess how bad that is but with Craig Forsyth I don’t know,” Lampard said.. “I think it was a knee but it’s too early to tell.”

The Rams have now got a two-week break between games as they head to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday as the November international break comes into play.

“We will rest a bit because I think the players need that,” Lampard commented. “We looked tired a bit today but then we will work as well.

“If we don’t have the capacity to run for each other then you will come up against teams with quality like Aston Villa and it will be tough. We will balance it out over the next two weeks and rest the minds.

“The lads have had a good batch of games, we must say that, but our focus and desire has to be for more so let’s get back to work.”