Steve Bruce returns to one of his (many) old stomping grounds tonight, and we went on Twitter to see what Aston Villa fans had to say about him, and their expectations and predictions for the game.
Here’s a few:
“Did a decent job only to bottle it in the play off final, then when fans questioned him & his decisions he didn’t like it, made constant digs at fans with the “who will you get better” etc so can understand if people want to boo him”
“If he is booed I’ll be disappointed” “Needs applauding, ran out of ideas but lost both parents and carried on full credit, need the win though”
“Wouldn’t want to be toxic TBH. They’ll have it in for us for sending them down when Shearer was in charge a toxic atmosphere would worsen it then that’ll just make their player’s more determined to get a victory. Some fans won’t see that but personally I’d just get behind Villa”
“Think Mr Bruce is trying to wind up the Villa Supporters for Monday night about John McGinn. Yes ok hes doing well but at least another season with us would settle him nicely to PL football and a price tag of £75mil on his head. As for Man United think Brucie is well off target”
“Doesn’t deserve the boos. He stabilised us in a difficult period not only for but himself personally. Losing both parents while still keeping us challenging for promotion which we narrowly missed out on. Good luck to him, but not on Monday”
“Did a decent job but nothing more than that. Ultimately failed to get us promoted which was why he was bought in. Doesn’t deserve much stick tho. More about us concentrating on getting the win against Newcastle than giving it to Bruce. Huge game for us”.
Surprisingly complimentary from these Villa fans, especially when you consider that during one of his last games he had a cabbage thrown at him, behaviour that was actually condemned by current Villa boss Dean Smith in his presser for this match.
Also slightly surprising considering the needle in this match as a result of the infamous, and completely unnecessary banners on display from Villa fans as we were relegated back in 2008.
Bruce himself spoke about his time at the Midlands club and here’s some snippets:
“I got criticised, yes, but for that 18 months only Man City scored more goals than us (Villa). They are a very difficult lot.
“Great club, great support, great history, but it was in a mess. It was arguably my most difficult job.” “It’s a great club with big tradition big history but I want to go back and beat them. It’s simple as that!”
Howay Brucey, do us proud tonight!
