Aston Villa lost 1-0 to Burton Albion on Tuesday night.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told the club’s official website that he felt James Bree was his side’s best player in the 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion.
After a draw at home to Reading on Saturday afternoon, Villa were back in action on Tuesday night, as they travelled to take on Burton Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Villa switched up their side, offering first-team chances to youngster Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and fringe midfielder Henri Lansbury – but the game didn’t go to plan.
Villa ended up losing 1-0 at the Pirelli Stadium as Liam Boyce bagged the winner, with late drama as Kyle McFadzean was sent off and Villa won a last-gasp penalty, but Albert Adomah sat his spot-kick saved.
Villa have now crashed out of the competition, and they will hope for better when they take on Sheffield United in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, with some fans again criticising manager Bruce.
Bruce did have praise for one player though, as he told the club’s official website that he felt James Bree was Villa’s best player on the night as he thrived at centre back.
“Bree did well at centre-back, too, where I played him in pre-season,” said Bruce. “He was probably our best player. Credit to him. Other than that, it was a very difficult evening for us,” he added.
Bree has been criticised by Villa fans on a regular basis since his January 2017 move from Barnsley, but the 20-year-old will be hoping to use his Burton performance as a springboard for greater success at Villa Park – and less criticism from fans.
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