Steve Bruce provides damning verdict on Aston Villa performance against Norwich
By Amir Mir
Steve Bruce has labelled Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat against Norwich on Tuesday night at Carrow Road as “pathetic”.
Nelson Oliveira’s long-range effort sealed all three points for the home side, but it was another lacklustre display from the Midlands outfit.
Villa only recorded one shot on goal and that was during the dying minutes, despite having four strikers on the pitch at one point.
This follows their poor display against relegation strugglers Wigan on Saturday afternoon at Villa Park. Bruce’s side only managed to pick up a win thanks to a late long-range effort from Jack Grealish.
After another mediocre display on the road, Bruce did not hold back when analysing Villa”s defeat against Alex Neil’s side.
“We have no excuses, we are desperately disappointed with a performance like that – and we didn’t take part in the game,” Bruce told Sky Sports. “Days like today you apologies to all those people who have travelled all this way because it was pretty pathetic stuff I have to say.”
This was the second defeat under Bruce’s reign, following his appointment by owner Tony Xia in mid-October.
Additionally, Villa have won only one game in 2016, including games during their infamous relegation from the Premier League last season.
The defeat at Carrow Road leaves the Midlands outfit in 13th place on 28 points from 21 league games.
More importantly they are six points behind Sheffield Wednesday who occupy the final play-off spot, following their 2-0 win against Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Villa will be looking to bounce back from this defeat when they travel to London to take on strugglers QPR at Loftus Road.
Ian Holloway’s men are three points above the relegation zone as they host a resurgent Derby Country side on Wednesday night.
In other Aston Villa news, Steve Bruce’s decision to select this senior player is baffling.