Aston Villa ended their miserable run at the weekend, but that has done little to lift the fans’ gloom.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Aston Villa were finally given something to smile about over the weekend as they secured a victory for the first time since Boxing Day by beating Derby County 1-0 at Villa Park. However, having lost their previous five games, and having lost eight in their last nine before the victory, it is fair to say that not all of the fans’ gloom has been lifted.
With that in mind, here are five things supporters on fan forum VillaTalk are discussing on Monday morning…
Is Leandro Bacuna a liability?
With the Villans 1-0 up in the dying minutes, the last thing Steve Bruce would have wanted was for one of his players to get sent off for barging into the linesman following a controversial decision, especially as that decision simply centred around a throw-in. However, that is exactly what happened to Leandro Bacuna. Most Villa fans were frustrated with the 25-year-old, and suggested that they have not seen enough from him to stand up for him. Interestingly however, a minority were slightly sympathetic given how important a victory was to the team and were actually pleased to see some passion from Bacuna.
The player just not up to standard?
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
If it was up to Aston Villa fans, it seems there would be absolutely no way that the club would look to extend Sam Johnstone’s loan deal beyond this season. Despite keeping his first clean sheet for the Championship side – at the ninth time of asking – he still did not convince fans with his performance.
Andre Green
Andre Green retains the support of the Villa fanbase due to his potential and work-rate, but a fair number of supporters were not entirely impressed with his display against Derby, even though he did hit the woodwork during the contest.
Is Jonathan Kodjia’s presence hurting the rest of the team?
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia shoots at goal
It seems odd to suggest but some Villa fans appear to be wondering whether the club’s current top goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia’s presence in the side is actually hurting the team. Kodjia has 11 goals but some fans have questioned whether the rest of the team are making too great a sacrifice trying to adapt to what seems to be the best way to get the best out of Kodjia.
Victory has not appeased Steve Bruce’s doubters
Despite the victory over a play-off chasing side, a large group of the supporters are still convinced that Steve Bruce is not the right man to take the club forward. The prospect of relegation cannot be put to bed just yet, and given the backing he received in the transfer market, that is unforgivable in many supporters’ eyes.
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