Aston Villa boss Dean Smith admits the FA Cup wasn't a priority after their 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Substitute Harry Arter scored moments after coming on to send Fulham into the fourth round.

Anthony Knockaert had put the Championship club ahead with a stunning strike before Anwar El Ghazi equalised less than 10 minutes later.

But Arter restored the hosts' lead with a blistering effort of his own from 30 yards - his first Fulham goal.

Smith said, "I don't like losing in any competition, but everyone can see from the selection and the squad that we brought here it wasn't the top of our priorities.

"That's simply because we've had three major injuries to three key players. The amount of games we've played since our Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool has been incredible.

"I had rest some players to make sure they're ready for two semi-final games and four or five Premier League games.

"It's lost its sparkle. It doesn't help when you have finals that kick-off on the same day as the Premier League. For whatever reason, it has lost its sparkle and it wasn't on the top of our priorities."