Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has hailed midfielder Ashley Westwood.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told the club’s official website that he felt Ashley Westwood was ‘terrific’ against Birmingham City on Sunday.
Villa made the short trip across Birmingham to take on the Blues at St. Andrews on Sunday, with manager Bruce returning to face the club he both played for and managed.
After picking up seven points in three games under Bruce, Villa were high on confidence and took the lead in the first half when Gary Gardner planted a superb header into the corner of the net from just inside the box.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
Gary Rowett’s Blues mounted considerable pressure on the Villa goal from then on, and managed to grab an equaliser when David Davis scored from the edge of the area via a deflection.
In truth, Birmingham had the better chances to then claim a winner, and Villa boss Bruce will be delighted to have taken a point back to Villa Park to continue his unbeaten start to life with the club.
Gary Gardner celebrates scoring for Aston Villa with Alan Hutton
After the game, Bruce spoke to Villa’s official website about his first few weeks in charge of the club, and admitted that he has now realised that a ‘fantastic football club’ Villa really are.
Bruce added that he’s pleased to still be unbeaten, and there are plenty of points to play for, whilst noting that almost everybody in the Championship wants to beat Villa this season.
Bruce also hailed midfielder Ashley Westwood, who has come in for major criticism this season, suggesting that he was ‘terrific’ against Birmingham.
Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood in action with Derby’s Jacob Butterfield
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Bruce. “I’ve realised what a fantastic football club it is. I’ve inherited a decent squad of players. We’ve got to now point them in the direction of what is needed and required to get out of this Championship. You have to have certain levels to achieve what you have to achieve and of course, wherever we go we’re Aston Villa.”
“People want to turn us over because of who we are and what we are. In the two weeks, I’m pleased that we’re unbeaten. I’d have liked to have nicked this one today. There’s 15 games gone, there’s still 30-odd to go. A lot to play for.”
“I have to say Westwood was terrific. He played really well,” he added.
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