Unai Emery has expressed a belief that Aston Villa were unlucky to crash out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with Brentford eliminating his side on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Harvey Elliott scored his first goal for Villa, with the former Liverpool star netting in the 43rd minute of the tie.
But Brentford were able to force a shootout courtesy of a 57th minute goal from Aaron Hickey, with John McGinn and Matty Cash missing from 12 yards.
It means Villa's chances of glory in that competition are now over, with Emery under increasing pressure so early on into the season.
Harvey Elliott scored his first goal for Aston Villa in their Carabao Cup clash with Brentford
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But Emery insists he's happy with his team's performance, despite the disappointing result.
“We improved things and we scored one goal, which is important as well,” he said.
“We drew but we created chances to win the match. I think we deserved something more – we competed well.
“We used in the starting XI some players who joined us in the last moments of the transfer window. They need minutes to get confidence and feel comfortable in our structure, trying to adapt as soon as possible.
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“They played and they performed well. We created chances and in the last minute were pushing to win the match, and I think the spirit we showed today is the spirit I want.
“I’m grateful for the supporters. Their effort was here and they were supporting us. We’re a little bit disappointed, but we have our way and I want to try to get strong in our way.
“Today we lost but I want to keep going, to keep improving things, giving some players minutes we need to add in the squad. We keep going thinking now about Sunderland on Sunday.”
Emery also praised Elliott for his contribution too, with the midfielder now off the mark for his new employers.
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Aaron Hickey netted for Brentford as they dumped Aston Villa out of the Carabao Cup
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“Harvey Elliott showed his qualities to us and he scored one goal,” added the Villa boss.
“The press we did with John McGinn was really fantastic, and then in 90 minutes we created three or four clear chances and even hit the post with Jadon Sancho.
“I think we’re getting better. There’s still work to do and we’re going to practice, preparing the game on Sunday.
“We have to work hard like we were doing, with the new structure and new players we have who joined us two weeks ago.
“We have to improve and we have to keep the same progression we were doing and showing today.”
Brentford's Keith Andrews, meanwhile, was pleased with his side's victory and insists his team can 'have a great season'.
"I am just delighted for the group really. A lot of players coming in and making debuts and Hakon [Valdimarsson] was the hero after a testing night.
"I don't care about mistakes. It is about the intentions of the players on a day-to-day basis.
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"After the first 10 minutes, we were probably the better side and we grew into it. We gifted them a goal and then we did well. We are delighted to go through.
"People might have felt I was trying to spin something in recent weeks but it was all genuine what I was saying. I don't feel our players feel what is possible this season and I think we can have a great season."