Dion Charles believes Bolton Wanderers gave a 'brilliant account' of themselves in the Carabao Cup loss to Aston Villa who he felt eventually showed their quality in the encounter.
The Whites took a deserved lead in the first half when Charles slotted home from inside the box for his first goal of the season. Douglas Luiz equalised before the break straight from a corner.
The Villans went ahead from the penalty spot when, despite suggestions of offside, Danny Ings won a penalty at the expense of Joel Dixon. He picked himself up to slot home from the spot.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Aston Villa loss, 'offside' goal, six changes made & defence
The Villans added a third through Lucas Digne, before Leon Bailey capped off the win with a fourth towards the end. It meant the League One side exited the competition despite a spirited and encouraging performance in a 4-1 loss and bowed out at the second round stage.
Striker Charles believes the top flight side punished the mistakes Wanderers made, which he feels is the difference when compared to the Premier League side. But he felt the Whites acquitted themselves well against the Villans and is pleased to be off the mark for the campaign.
Speaking to the club's YouTube channel, Charles said: "I thought we battled away for a good 60 minutes and then they showed their class. They're a Premier League side full of world class players, but I thought we gave a brilliant account of ourselves and it was a good 60 minutes.
"That's the difference between the standards. They got through on goal and they took their chances, they punished our mistakes and perhaps we didn't quite do that to them.
"They're playing at the top level, some of us are aspiring to be there so it was a great test and personally good to get a goal against world class opposition.
"I think as a striker the first goal is always the hardest but once you get that out of the way hopfully they come flooding in.
"I feel great. It was a little niggly injury, it wasn't too bad. I showed the fans out there how hard I'm willing to work for this club and I got a goal for my rewards."
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