Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has told his players he doesn’t have an issue with any of them – and had more to say about Gabriel Agbonlahor.
New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Aston Villa’s new manager Steve Bruce has told The Guardian that he said to his players that he has no problem with any of them, including attacker Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Villa confirmed the appointment of Bruce as their new manager on Wednesday evening, and he was presented to the media on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor
Bruce, 55, has been out of work since leaving Hull City over the summer, and is now back in management as he looks to take Villa back to the Premier League, having won four promotions to the top flight in his career.
Yet, with Villa currently lying in 19th place in the table and with just one league win to their name this term, Bruce faces a major task – but his arrival may hand a clean slate to some fringe players.
Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor scores against Norwich City
One player who will be hoping for an opportunity is attacker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has been frozen out at Villa Park after a dismal 12 months, which have seen him struggle for goals and fitness, whilst becoming embroiled in off-field matters.
Agbonlahor joked back in 2007 (The Telegraph) that Bruce wouldn’t be his biggest fan as he continued to score against his teams, but Villa’s new boss has suggested that Agbonlahor will get a chance to impress in training.
New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce poses with chief executive Keith Wyness
Speaking to The Guardian, Bruce revealed that he has told the Villa squad that he has no problem with any of them, including 30-year-old attacker Agbonlahor.
Bruce added an extra message for Agbonlahor, as he claimed to understand that he has had his problems of late, and will get an opportunity providing that he gets himself in better shape having struggled for fitness.
“I’ve said to them [the players] that I’ve got no problem with any of them and that means Gabby, too,” said Bruce. “He’s had his problems and he’s got to get himself into some sort of condition but, yes [he is training with the first team],” he added.
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