Following the simply embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Sheffield United, Villa boss Steve Bruce has faced increasing criticism with many fans and pundits alike calling for the former Manchester United centre-back’s head.
Bruce stated in his post-match interview that, “we were simply blown away by a very, very good Sheffield United team.”
Despite standing tall at 6ft the former centre-back cast a shrunken figure in his latest press conference suggesting that things may not be as good behind the scenes as they are on the pitch.
Quite rapidly the situation has snowballed for the 54-year-old manager with many fans and pundits alike questioning Bruce’s tactics, or as some fans would put it lack thereof, not to mention Aston Villa’s poor recruitment in the summer.
Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Law (@matt_law_DT) shared his thoughts about life under Steve Bruce taking to Twitter to say, “I’ve been largely supportive of Steve Bruce at Villa but eight of the players that finished the defeat to Burton were his signings so he has to take responsibility for it. His problem solving seems to revolve entirely around signing more players which I believe is a failing.”
Despite last season’s success, reports linking Arsenal legend Belgium’s number two Thierry Henry with the job after the ownership of Aston Villa changed hands.
Yet the new owners opted not to replace Bruce and backed him by refusing to sell Jack Grealish to Tottenham Hotspur at any price despite multiple attempts by the North London club.
It almost seems Bruce is on borrowed time in charge of the former European Champions with Ladbrokes putting the former Manchester United man at 2/1 odds of not surviving the season, despite the club currently placed in 12th.
Should the former Hull manager depart, former Chelsea and Villa defender John Terry is heavily linked to replace him with Ladbrokes placing the currently clubless Terry at 5/1 odds of succeeding his former manager at Villa Park.
The Villains next face 20th place Norwich in what must be a do or die game for Steve Bruce. But, for many of the Villa faithful Bruce has used all of his nine lives in charge of Aston Villa and it’s time for a new cat in charge of the Pride.
