Steve Bruce delivers verdict on Aston Villa debutant in loss v Nottingham Forest

Mon 6 February 2017 15:24, UK

By Will Butcher

Steve Bruce believes James Bree did not deserve to be on the losing side during Aston Villa’s 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Bree, 19, made his debut for the Championship club in place of Scotland international Alan Hutton and caught the eye of his manager despite the scoreline.

In quotes published by the Birmingham Mail, Bruce heaped praise on his January recruit from Barnsley, stating that he had no complaints over the right-back’s performance.

“He shouldn’t have been on the losing side on his debut but he was,” Bruce said. “I’ve got no complaints about the way he played. I thought he was excellent.

“He’s only 19, he’s got a big bright future ahead of him. We’re delighted we’ve been able to get him because we’ve beat off a lot of competition and he looked a very good player.”

The teenage star had less than six months remaining on his contract at Barnsley and opted to join Aston Villa instead of renewing his deal at Oakwell.

Joining former Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane in travelling to Villa Park, Bree was one of eight January signings made by Bruce along with the likes of Scott Hogan and Neil Taylor.