Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup: That could have been a hiding

MICHAEL Laudrup was left ruing Swansea City's wastefulness after Danny Graham's stoppage-time equaliser against Aston Villa, declaring: "It could have been 6-0."

Graham struck his second goal in as many games to salvage a point, but it should have been so much better for Swansea.

Laudrup's men dominated possession for long periods and created a hatful of chances in the first half.

Wayne Routledge put Swansea 1-0 up but not before he had missed when clean through, while Michu struck the post twice and Graham flashed a shot just wide.

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Swansea were also denied what Laudrup felt was a clear penalty when Joe Bennett handled, yet they found themselves trailing in the dying minutes after strikes from Andres Weimann and Christian Benteke — from the spot — had turned the game on its head.

"Our first-half performance was great — we could have been 4-0 up after 12 minutes," Laudrup said.

"But we only took one of our chances and, when that happens, you know one mistake or one set-piece can mean it is level again.

"If we had got the second goal early on, we could have been sat here talking about a 5-0 or 6-0 win.

"But we only got one, and then they scored at the end of the first half with what was almost their first attack.

"That gave Aston Villa belief that they could come back and get something out of the game. The second half was more even, with not so many chances but two penalties. Unfortunately for us, only one of them was given."

Graham thumped in a volley in the fourth minute of added time to save Swansea from what would have been the cruellest of defeats.

The striker's third league goal of the season meant Swansea remained unbeaten through the hectic festive period — but Laudrup was not content.

"We showed a lot of character once again, but I still feel like this is two points dropped," he added.

"We played really well in the first half. Our attitude and focus after what has been a difficult run of games was 100 per cent right.

"I would have liked eight points from the four Christmas games, but we have got six and we have not lost. That is always important."

Laudrup, meantime, says he would like to get his transfer business done sooner rather than later after the window opened yesterday.

The Dane will hold talks with those players who have not been regulars this week to see if anyone wants to move on during January.

Even if nobody leaves, he wants to bolster Swansea's squad with a couple of new faces.

"It would be nice if we could get everything sorted tomorrow, but of course it's not a perfect world and it doesn't always work like that," Laudrup said.

"When you are talking about players coming in or going out, it is not just our club involved. There are lots of interested parties and everybody wants the best for themselves, so these things can take time.

"I am pleased with my squad, so there will not be that many players coming in.

"I hope we can do things as quickly as possible, but we will have to see."