Aston Villa senior man pinpoints serious problems following Barnsley defeat

Wed 15 February 2017 8:06, UK

By Danny Wright

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce was disgusted with the ‘calamitous’ errors made by his side which led to the 3-1 loss to Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Bruce, whose side are without a win since Boxing Day, believes that there are some serious issues with his side’s defending after they saw themselves defeated at home to the newly-promoted Tykes.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, the former Hull and Birmingham boss said: “The third goal, some of the defending was calamitous, mistake after mistake. That’s crept into us over the last five weeks or so.

“Every mistake we make is being punished. It was pretty evident again.

“Just when we get in to 2-1, within six or seven minutes it goes to 3-1. It’s very difficult from there.”

Adam Armstrong put the away side ahead from the penalty spot in the 25^th minute before former Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw made it two. Jonathan Kodjia pulled a goal back just before half time but Bradshaw doubled his tally and Barnsley’s lead in the second half as Paul Heckingbottom’s men continued their play-off push.

Villa find themselves just seven points clear of the relegation zone in the Championship and are currently 16^th with 36 points.