The 25-year-old defender has been one of the club’s top performers since Bruce replaced Roberto Di Matteo as manager in October.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Burton Albion’s Boxing Day visit, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has lavished praise on Nathan Baker for his stellar form over recent months.
After spending last season on loan at Bristol City, Baker started Villa’s opening day clash with Sheffield Wednesday under the since-departed Roberto Di Matteo before immediately dropping to the bench following the signing of fellow centre-back James Chester.
However, after making a 13-minute cameo in Bruce’s first match in charge in mid-October, the 25-year-old defender subsequently replaced the injured Tommy Elphick in the line-up and impressed enough over the next two games to keep his place even after his teammate returned to full fitness.
A run of six straight starts was unfortunately ended by a groin injury suffered in the first half of last month’s 3-1 home win over Cardiff City, but after being forced to sit out the next three games, the former academy standout returned to the line-up for last weekend’s trip to Queens Park Rangers and put in a man-of-the-match performance to help the claret and blues secure a narrow 1-0 victory.
Having previously been a polarising figure among Villa fans, Bruce has been delighted to see the left-footed stopper win so many plaudits for his recent play and believes he will have a bright future in B6 if he can simply overcome the injury problems which have hampered his career so far.
“It’s fair to say that he has had to be patient,” Bruce told reporters at his press conference when asked about Baker’s form. “He does give us a natural balance with his left foot. He played very, very well before he got injured.
“It was a big, big call because Tommy Elphick’s the captain and hadn’t let us down, but I think for the benefit of the team, the natural left foot of Nathan and the prowess that he has in the air has helped the team and he has played very, very well and long may it continue.
“We need to eradicate this injury problem that he seems to pick up now and again. He now’s in full maturity. He’s 25 now. Let’s hope now the future’s good for him. I certainly have been quietly impressed with him. I hope that continues.”
Baker’s return to the team means Villa have a relatively clean bill of health going into this weekend, with long-term absentees Ritchie de Laet, Micah Richards and third-choice goalkeeper Jed Steer the only players unavailable for selection.
Nevertheless, with the club facing a busy schedule over the Christmas period, the former Hull City boss could be forced to make a few changes between the next three games against Burton, Leeds United and Cardiff, respectively.
“We’ve got no problems since last week,” Bruce said at his press conference. “Everybody should be okay, apart from the long-term ones where there is no change. It is a busy time because we play four games in a matter of 10 days, but for me I’m a huge traditionalist.
“Boxing Day is a time that all supporters enjoy. They come and it’s usually a jovial occasion, a Boxing Day game. It’s a wonderful occasion and to come to Villa Park – we haven’t put back-to-back wins together for a long time. Can we go and win back-to-back, can we then take it into the Leeds game and really start mounting a challenge in the second half of the season?
“We’ve got two or three games coming up thick and fast. We’ve got to be there or there abouts where we want to be. Let’s hope we can be.”
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