Right as Rein

PEPE GIVES DEAN A LIFT AS CRACKER-JACK MAKES A POINT

PEPE REINA is already having a huge impact on Aston Villa, according to boss Dean Smith.

Liverpool legend Reina has only just arrived on loan from AC Milan but made a crucial stop to deny Neal Maupay in added time at the Amex.

Maupay ended the game being hauled down the tunnel by his own captain after a shoving match with Ezri Konsa – a player who used to be his team-mate at Brentford.

But boss Smith wanted to focus on the contribution of

Reina – and of Jack Grealish whose stunning goal earned a point after Leandro Trossard had scored for Brighton.

“It was a great save and a telling contribution,” Smith said. “Overall he was calmness personified. You wouldn’t have known that he was making his debut for a new team!

“He’s a World Cup winner and I think the players know they have a calm head behind them.

“That character and charisma he has is rubbing off on people.” Smith was also delighted with Grealish who thumped home his ninth goal of an incredible season to cancel out a first-half effort from

Trossard. He added: “It’s a great finish from Jack but it’s what we’ve come to expect from him.

“You do start to run out of superlatives for him.”

And the good news for Villa fans is that Grealish will soon have some help, with the club very close to signing striker Mbwana Samatta from Genk for £10million.

Brighton boss Graham Potter said: “We played really well in the first half but then made a positional error and Grealish punished us.

“In the end we’re disappointed – but it’s another point.”