Gollini came but failed to claim a cross for Leeds United’s first goal on Saturday.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has admitted that goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was culpable for Leeds United’s first goal in Saturday’s late kick-off, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
Villa went down 2-0 at Elland Road in Saturday’s late kick-off thanks to two second-half goals from the home side, to condemn the visitors to their first defeat under Bruce.
The opening goal came when Souleymane Doukara’s excellent cross was met by Kemar Roofe, who evaded a sluggish defence and beat Gollini to the ball to head home.
The young Italian goalkeeper came a long way off his line but never looked like getting to the ball, presenting Roofe with a perfect opportunity to open his Whites account.
Bruce, perhaps surprisingly, has openly admitted that his goalkeeper made a mistake for the goal, but insisted that neither he nor Gollini will dwell on the incident.
The Villa boss said, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail: “He’s OK. Disappointed I would have thought. Everybody makes a mistake. You are not going to get me sitting here criticising any individual. He’s made a mistake, he knows he’s made a mistake. We move forward.
“I’ve had a great start and we are going to get beat. It’s not always the silkiest football. Today we’ve made a crucial mistake.
“I’ve been very, very pleased. There’s still a lot of work to do. First half, my goalkeeper hasn’t had a touch of the ball, which in a big game against Leeds is testament to how well we did.”
Gollini has largely been the first-choice goalkeeper for Villa since he was signed from Hellas Verona by former manager Roberto di Matteo in the summer.
He has missed just one Championship game this term, the 2-0 defeat at Preston North End which proved to be Di Matteo’s final game in charge.
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