'We got our tactics spot on' - Dean Smith on Aston Villa's win over Leeds United and Elland Road pitch

Villa took an early lead through Anwar El Ghazi, Ollie Watkins' slip as he shaped to shoot sending the ball into the path of Marcelo Bielsa's former winger.

Smith was impressed with the ex Lille man.

"He certainly knows how to play against a Marcelo Bielsa team because he's played for one for 19 games when they were both at Lille," said the Villains boss.

"He knows how they play. I felt he was ready for this game. He started really well and had a few good efforts. He knew what to expect from their team and knew what to do. His defensive display was good too."

Smith also had praise for left-back Matt Targett and suggested England boss Gareth Southgate, who watched from the West Stand, would have liked what he saw too.

"I think Southgate will have been impressed with Matt Targett, who is having a fantastic season," he said.

"Some impressive performances out there today."

Leeds were able to get at Villa, to some degree, in the first half but despite near-total dominance after the break they were unable to fashion many clerar-cut opportunities.

Smith was happy with the way his side set up to play in the second half.

"I thought we got our tactics spot on," he said.

"We restricted the distance and space for them to play in, which they're very good at. The back end of the first half got a bit stretched and they were able to attack.

"The second half we gave up the ball a bit and restricted their chances. Tactically we were good – second half I was so pleased and we were always a threat on the counter.

"The players deserve lots of credit. Our game plan came off really well. We pressed them really well.

Ralph Hasenhuttl spoke about the Elland Road playing surface after Southampton's defeat in midweek and Smith followed suit, suggesting it was one reason for their half-time change in tactics.

"The pitch was cutting up a lot and people were slipping so we changed tactics a bit and it paid dividends," he said.

"It was a difficult surface, lots of players slipping. We wanted to play with safety first and we did that.

And he admitted it would have been a different afternoon altogether had the ground not been empty.

"It's a lot more enjoyable for us – our away form has been excellent," he said of football's 'new normal' without supporters.

"Any game you play it’s kind of like a neutral venue at the moment - certainly today would’ve been different with the Elland Road crowd here."