Monk praises dominant display

Garry Monk was full of praise for his side after they achieved back-to-back victories for the first time since December 2012 with a comfortable 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

The Swans' bid for top-flight safety was handed a major boost as a brace from Wilfried Bony, plus a wonder goal by Jonjo Shelvey and a neat Pablo Hernandez finish wrapped up all three points for Monk's side.

On the back of a crucial 2-1 win at Newcastle a week ago, the Swans started as they left off, going in front as Bony slotted home in the 10th minute.

Midway through the first period, Gabriel Agbonlahor levelled the scores when he turned home Marc Albrighton's pinpoint cross.

But the Swans restored their lead in style when Shelvey scored a contender for goal of the season with a wonderfully struck volley from 45-yards, which looped over the top of Brad Guzan.

With just over 15 minutes left on the clock, Hernandez rifled in Swansea's third after bringing down Shelvey's deep cross before Bony put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot, deep into added time.

And Monk felt the result was deserved, but insisted his side would not rest after their convincing win.



"It was a fantastic result for us," said the Swans head coach. "Four goals and a good team performance is what you want.

"We started well, got the goal, but Villa came back into it, and for ten or 15 minutes they were the dominant side. They pinned us back a bit and deserved their equaliser.

"But Jonjo's spectacular goal gave us confidence and that feeling of being back on top.

"In the second-half, we were totally dominant in every aspect. We've been in positions before when we've led at half-time but come out and been punished.

"But today we started well, and I felt there was only one team in that second-half.

"There was some great passing, great movement and some great goals.

"But we don't want to rest. I said to the players beforehand that we want at least 40 points.

"We want to finish strong and finish on a positive - that's the message we want to send out."



And the Swans boss was also keen to highlight the importance of Shelvey's sensational first-half strike, which came at a pivotal point in the match.

"He came in shouting goal of the season, which is typical of Jonjo," joked Monk.

"It was brilliant. He's got that in his locker - that technique. It was no fluke.

"To have that vision, not many players can do that. It was a fantastic goal and an important goal at an important time of the match.

"The goal came at a crucial moment, which gave everyone confidence.

"You forget he is only 21 because he has so much potential.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert agreed that Swansea's second of the game came at a crucial moment and felt mistakes came at costly price for his side.

"The first half was as well as we have played for the last couple of weeks," said Lambert. "The second goal was a wonder goal and a major turning point.

"For an hour we were well in the game and had a lot of the ball, and I can't fault the players' effort.

"But, unfortunately, we made a couple of errors that led to a couple of goals, which was disappointing."