Bruce admits Villa embroiled in relegation dogfight
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce admitted that his team face a battle to stay in the Sky Bet Championship after extending their winless run to ten matches with a 2-0 defeat to Championship leaders Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday evening.
Bruce’s side have picked up just one point from 24 and now reside in 17th place in the Championship, just six points above the relegation zone. Villa’s last win came at home to Burton Albion back on Boxing Day.
However, despite matching the Magpies for much of this contest, Yoan Gouffran’s 42nd-minute strike before an own-goal by Henri Lansbury in the 59th minute left Villa tasting defeat once again.
Villa’s woes were not helped by new £12 million signing Scott Hogan, signed from Brentford during the January transfer window, being forced off in the closing stages with what looked a bad ankle injury.
The club’s poor form shows no signs of relenting and the former European Cup winners now face a battle to avoid successive relegations.
Bruce speaking to the Birmingham Mail commented: “We were better but unfortunately what we’ve just witnessed there is us. We’ve done OK but given a poor goal away,
“They are two horrible goals to lose a game up here, that’s our achilles heel at the moment.
“We’ve created three or four chances and we couldn’t take one. I’m confident that we won’t [go down] but I’ve never been in a run like this.”
Villa now face another tough match at home to play-off contenders Derby County at Villa Park on Saturday.