It was a tale of two halves at Villa Park as the home side went into the break with a two-goal lead giving them the ascendency. However, we never gave up and after probing for quite some time, Noni Madueke found the back of the net with a neat finish.

Gallagher would then produce a special strike from the edge of the box to level the contest with minutes left on the clock, but the Blues were disappointed to leave Villa Park with only a share of the spoils after Axel Disasi had a winner ruled out - VAR adjudged a foul to have been made during the build-up.

The skipper was pleased with the performance of the squad following the interval, but was left feeling frustrated having not taken all three points.

‘We’re gutted really,’ Gallagher began.

‘It was quite a poor first half. We were just too slow on the ball, and lethargic, but the second half was brilliant. Obviously, we came back and I felt we should’ve won the game. I’m proud of the lads for the second-half performance.

‘The gaffer, long story short, told us to liven up and work harder in everything we do on the ball and off the ball. The second half was a lot better and we were unlucky not to get the win. I was really happy with the goal, but disappointed not to get the third.’

The midfielder also pointed to the Blues’ character as key to the resurgence.

He continued: ‘We had chances to win and I think we showed great character in the second-half. The goal at the end I think should’ve counted, but that’s not my decision. We can hold our heads high and take confidence from that.’

Gallagher acknowledged that there is still much to improve on following a lacklustre opening period, but the midfielder feels they are taking steps in the right direction.

‘We want to improve and get better as a team,’ he added.

‘We are still on a journey to keep improving as a team. We are nowhere near where we want to be as a club, and there is a lot of work to be done, but the second-half was better today.

‘I try my best and always work my hardest. I have so much to improve on in every aspect of my game and as a character as well – to be a better team player and a better leader. There is still a long way to go, but I always try to improve.’