Aston Villa lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon, as Sam Johnstone made his debut for the club.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has told BBC Sport that he was impressed with Sam Johnstone’s debut for the club against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.
Villa travelled to White Hart Lane for their Third Round FA Cup tie against Spurs this afternoon, and were looking for a response having lost 1-0 to Cardiff City on Monday.
Steve Bruce’s men were solid defensively in the first half against Tottenham as they frustrated Mauricio Pochettino’s men, making it to half time at 0-0.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
However, Spurs did eventually make the breakthrough as Ben Davies headed home Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s cross into the far corner of the net, before Heung-min Son made it 2-0 by converting Moussa Sissoko’s cut back.
Whilst Tottenham march on into the next round of the competition, Villa are out – but if there’s one positive for manager Bruce to take, it’s the performance of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The 23-year-old joined Villa from Manchester United on loan earlier this week, and was thrown in for his debut against Spurs, with Bruce leaving Pierluigi Gollini on the bench as a result.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Johnstone look assured on his debut, claiming crosses decisively whilst also making a particularly smart save from Moussa Sissoko when Villa were 1-0 down.
After the final whistle, manager Bruce told BBC Sport that he felt Villa defended well, and praised Johnstone as a ‘very good young goalkeeper’, and believes that the young shot stopper will relish playing regular first-team football at Villa Park.
“We had to defend well and run a million miles because they are a very good side. We had a big chance in the game,” said Bruce. “I was a touch disappointed with the goal because they didn’t have to do much, one cross into the box and we didn’t deal with it.”
“You need your goalkeeper to play well and Sam Johnstone looks a very good young goalkeeper – I think he’ll relish the challenge to play week in, week out. They are a very good side and that has to be the aspiration for us at Aston Villa,” he added.
What did you think of Johnstone’s performance against Tottenham?
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