Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has made some interesting comments regarding the club’s Villa Park pitch.
As reported by Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has spoken out regarding the pitch at Villa Park in the wake of his side’s game against Preston North End last night.
Villa were the second Midlands side in less than a week to come away from a game against Preston with a fortunate point, as Lewis Grabban’s penalty ensured the Villans did not suffer back-to-back defeats in the league.
Following the loss, Bruce spoke openly about how poor the conditions were on the Villa Park pitch in comparison to years gone by, when it was considered to be one of the best in England.
“All of a sudden we’ve got a very difficult Villa Park pitch,” said Bruce. “I’ve never seen it the way it is at the moment. I know it needs replacing. It hasn’t been replaced for 11 years.
“The groundsman has done a remarkable job. He’s won groundsman of the year for 10 years! The pitch is always immaculate. Unfortunately, it’s difficult at the minute.”
Bruce has been able to get the fans back on his side in recent weeks after a difficult first year in charge of the club, but it will be important for them to get back in the win column if he wants to maintain that reputation.
Regardless of the pitch, though, Villa fans will be sitting nervously now as their optimism seems to have evaporated in the span of just a few days. The draw against Preston came after a disappointing 2-0 loss at the hands of Fulham, although their next two games are much more favourable by comparison.
Villa will travel to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday before hosting Queens Park Rangers, as they attempt to pull themselves back above Cardiff City who currently occupy second place.
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