Since the start of 2017, Aston Villa are without a win, drawing once and losing eight, leaving them six points above the Championship relegation zone.
Following a mini-revival in October and November upon Steve Bruce’s arrival at Villa Park, Aston Villa now appear to be in free fall once more. Serious investment in the squad was made once more in January, but it has – as of yet – failed to breath new life into a huge club that has been on the wane for more than five years now.
One man who knows what it is like to suffer both the anguish of relegation from the top flight and the jubilation of promotion to England’s first tier with Aston Villa is Mark Lillis. The 57-year-old joined Villa in 1987, and spent two years at the club, before returning in 2001 as a scout.
HITC Sport spoke exclusively the Manchester-born former midfielder/forward about Villa’s plight, what they must do to get back to where they want to be and whether Steve Bruce is the right man for the job.
Mark Lillis during his time at Huddersfield Town
When asked if Villa were in a relegation battle, Lillis was dismissive, “I don’t worry about that. Bruce is a fantastic manager. There was a lot of change when I was there under Graham Taylor, and it takes a bit of time for the manager to get the team he wants. The performances come through playing and training together.”
Bruce’s project at Aston Villa was one Lillis almost became a part of, having a job interview at Villa Park in the summer in the hope of a second reunion with the Birmingham-based outfit. Despite his hopes of getting a role within the youth development side of things at Villa being unsuccessful, Lillis said revisiting the ground brought the size of the club back to him again, “It’s a massive club, and Villa Park is a special place.”
Some believe Aston Villa are now in a relegation battle
Now on a ten-game winless run, it would be impossible to argue with the fact that Aston Villa are in the mire, but Lillis believes he knows the route of Steve Bruce’s struggles, and what he’ll be doing right now.
“You’ve got to get your dressing room right. That’s what he’ll [Steve Bruce] be doing right now. Getting amongst the characters in there, seeing who he can trust and trying to get rid of the others, although it’s not always easy moving players on now.”
Read more: Aston Villa’s 2010 League Cup final starting XI: Where are they now?
It’s fair to say doubts have crept in among some fans about Steve Bruce’s capabilities as Villa manager, but not with Lillis. Asked if he felt Bruce was the right manager for the job, he told us, “Yes. He’s brought some young players in and it all comes back to time, unfortunately you don’t get much of it now, but everyone needs to pull together and get behind them.”
Lillis playing Masters Football
Reflecting on past glories, Lillis said the two finest players he ever played alongside were at Aston Villa, one just starting his career at the highest level and the other already an experienced pro, full international and FA Cup winner.
“I’d probably have to say Paul McGrath at Aston Villa [was the best player I ever played with]. There was also a young David Platt, who I was very impressed with, but Macca is definitely up there.”
Following four-and-a-half years as Head of Youth Development at Huddersfield Town, Lillis is currently out of work, and open to new opportunities.
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