Aston Villa were embarrasing at best last season – but Steve Bruce’s side are showing signs of spirit once again.
To the Aston Villa fans who argue that their side has not made enough progress this season, consider this; in this week one year ago, they capitulated 4-0 at home to Chelsea in the midst of an eleven game losing streak.
Fast forward twelve months, however, and the same club has won seven of their last eight games. In that time, they have only conceded one goal, the Birmingham Mail reports.
Yes, they may be playing in the league below and, after spending around £70 million in two transfer windows, they should expect to be a lot closer to the play-off positions. But the improvements made under Steve Bruce in recent months cannot be ignored.
Unlike last season’s pitiful outfit, this is a Villa side with spirit and a desire to win, as the manager himself alluded to after a typically hard-fought 1-0 win against QPR on Tuesday night.
“Towards the end they protected their goal as if their lives depended on it and that was good to see,” Bruce told the Birmingham Mail.
“You need the ability to grind it out in this league. We’re in the Championship and it’s not easy. If you have that resilience and you can keep a clean sheet it always gives you a chance.”
It’s that sort of resilience that has summed up Aston Villa’s excellent run in the last few weeks. Jonathan Kodjia may come up with the goods at the other end but, without the likes of Mile Jedinak offering a stable platform at the back, Villa could not harbour hopes of ending a tumultuous season with a top-half finish.
And while Villa may be consigned to the second tier for another season at least, the fans can take some solace in knowing that their team is doing everything they can to pick up points. Which is more than can be said for last season’s deplorable efforts.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
