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Dean Smith backheel-volleys Tyrone Mings's misplaced pass during Man City vs Aston Villa
(Image: Twitter/Football on BT Sport)

VIDEO: Aston Villa manager Dean Smith backheel-volleys ball back onto pitch at Man City

Cushions it to Grealish with deft touch.

http://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1351967044867158019

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith backheel-volleyed Tyrone Mings’s misplaced pass back onto the pitch during Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Man City.

With the ball soaring out of play, he stuck out a foot and cushioned it to Jack Grealish with the deftest of touches as Pep Guardiola watched on from behind.

Dean Smith: “"I said to the fourth official David Coote, 'did you get juggling balls for Christmas?' I don't think any other manager would get sent off for that."

First off. AMAZING.

Second. SPOT ON.

— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) January 20, 2021

Grealish then gave the ball to João Cancelo so that City, who won through late strikes from Bernado Silva and İlkay Gündoğan, could restart the match with a throw-in.

Smith was sent off for his protestations about the opening goal, which he felt should have been disallowed for offside.