Steve Bruce discloses Aston Villa’s plans for Ross McCormack following disappointing first season

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Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack has had a tough season, spending much of it on loan with Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.

Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack

Steve Bruce has suggested that Ross McCormack now has every chance to make his spell with Aston Villa a success as he does not hold any grudge from the events that led to the summer signing leaving the club on loan in January, the Daily Mirror reports.

Following his £12 million move from Fulham last summer, McCormack struggled and was almost completely overshadowed on the pitch by the form of fellow summer signing Jonathan Kodjia.

And it appeared that the 30-year-old’s days with the Villans were numbered as, after scoring just three times in 20 Championship appearances, he moved to Nottingham Forest on loan during the previous window, with Bruce publicly criticising the forward for not turning up to training due to the gates at his house not opening (via Mirror).

But with an operation bringing a premature end to McCormack’s season – the Mirror reports that he also had personal issues to contend with – his thoughts may well now be on his future, and Bruce has opened the door for the Scotsman to turn his fortunes with the Villans around, and suggested that the striker is fully accepting of the demands.

“We have to put him on a fitness regime,” he said, as reported by the Mirror.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce

“The first thing is to get him into optimum physical condition. We have had a conversation about that. The rest is really up to Ross.

“It’s no secret he has had a few personal problems.

“If he abides by the rules – and he has said he intends to – then we will do everything in our power to get him up and running again. I don’t bear grudges.”

There is no question that having an in-form McCormack in the ranks will certainly boost Villa’s chances of competing for promotion next season.

When he is at the top of his game, there are few in the division better than he is, and a campaign that mirrors his efforts during his final season for Leeds or one of his two years with Fulham will certainly vindicate Villa’s decision to spend an eight-figure fee on him in 2016.

And with Kodjia now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines (via Mirror), Bruce arguably needs that McCormack at his disposal rather than the one that has struggled this term.