Bitter Taste For Ollie

Olof Mellberg last night conceded Saturday・s defeat against Newcastle ．left a bitter taste in the mouth・, insisting Villa deserved at least a draw.

The Swedish international, stand-in skipper with Steve Staunton suspended, was hugely disappointed as Villa lost to a solitary Alan Shearer striker eight minutes from time.

And he reflected: "It was a really cheap goal. We had our chances and definitely deserved a clean sheet. They did not feel dangerous, neither Bellamy nor Shearer created anything.

：But a cross came in from the wing and Shearer popped up as usual. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

"It's so disappointing and frustrating. I think, with the team we've got, and the way we've been playing at home, we should have beaten Newcastle. ：

Mellberg continued: "Not scoring goals was a big problem for us in the first couple of months of the season and we've improved on that recently.

"But on Saturday it again looked like a game from the beginning of the season when we created chances and couldn't put the ball in the net and to concede a goal like we did was disappointing.

"But that's Alan Shearer. He didn't have a shot or a header until the goal came but that's his strength. He scores from the chances he gets."