Well, I suppose if you were a neutral that would be classed as a great game as the play swung backwards and forwards.
But it certainly wasn’t for me.
We were comfortable when we went 2-0 up, until Chester got sent off for clipping the attacker’s heel. It was a soft penalty award and I thought the red card was extremely harsh, but that’s the way it goes.
But that’s all of the allowable mitigation that Bruce gets from me.
We can all recall game where the side with eleven players immediately gain momentum, but just as equally we’ve seen sides with 10 players go on to nearly win games too.
Through most of the second half we looked poor and it was odds on that once Preston had got their first goal, they’d get the equaliser.
And likewise, it looked certain that they’d get a third.
It looked all over when they did and there was a lot of booing and chants of “sacked in the morning” from the fans.
Fair play though and the lads pulled the equaliser back, via a scrabbled goal from Bolasie, which sent Villa into the ascendancy for the last few minutes.
An intentional push gave Villa literally a last kick penalty, which for some reason Whelan took.
I don’t understand why he took it, unless no-one wanted to.
Whatever, he failed to score what would have been a memorable goal looking back.
It would have massively hidden the underlying problems we have as a team too, though.
And while I massively wanted the win, a little part of me wonders if today’s draw is just pushing closer to the sack?
If we’d lost today, the baying from the fans afterwards would probably have made the TV news.
But with us equalising and missing that last-minute pen, the fans (myself included) just seemed somewhat bamboozled and as far as I could tell, complaints were temporarily forgotten about.
I said in the last post that anything less than a win was unacceptable and I still think that holds true.
Millwall next, who I suspect will prove tougher.
Lose that and I’d expect to see Bruce sacked immediately after the game.
Whatever, he has to go and tonight’s game changes nothing.
NO BRUCIE BONUS Steve Bruce sacked: John Terry favourite to take over after Aston Villa swing axe after poor start to Championship season
Villa, who many tipped to be challenging for the title, are currently down in 12th spot
Confrimed by the Mail –
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/confirmed-steve-bruce-left-position-15230076
Oh Happy Day!
Considering the news any chance of crowdfunding a statue of a man throwing a cabbage for outside the Holte End?
Phew!!!
Thank you Glenn Whelan. Might just turn out to be your legacy at our club.
It’s the right decision given all the circumstances but I want to thank Steve for rescuing our club when he took over from RDM. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for him or the club and personally I wish him well.
What’s the odds of our fans agreeing on the new manager whoever that might be?
Oh and an aside – Chester has been a big supporter of Bruce, will he now sign a new contract – if not he’ll be off for nothing!
I see that favourites for manager include Smith, Henry and Terry depending on where you look. Obviously the bookies don’t know any more than we do.
For some reason really warming to Terry although it could be a bit of a gamble. While his inexperience goes against him the fact that he spent all last season at the club must be a massive factor in his favour. I also believe that he’s a strong enough character to sort out any dressing room issues once and for all.
As we’re already eleven games into the season I wouldn’t see it as too much of a gamble. I can’t see us getting relegated but if we make progress under Terry then that would be great. If not then that would be the time to perhaps go for a more experienced manager.
Anyway, whatever happens, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned back on!
Well there we have it, while he did have to go would just like to thank Bruce. Came in after RDM and steadied a sinking ship, brought a feel good factor back to the club and almost took us back up. Almost wasn’t enough, however. He has had a torrid time personally, losing both his parents. The Rotherham game was the beginning of the end in my opinion, his comments after that game did more damage to his relationship with the fans than any loss would have. Throwing a cabbage at the man though, Christ.
As for who comes in now, I don’t know. It worries me. Who can we realistically get that would push us on in the right direction. Hope it isn’t Henry, don’t think he’s the answer. Fingers crossed we get this right. UTV.
Villa statement – ‘Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that manager Steve Bruce and his assistants Colin Calderwood, Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Gary Walsh are leaving their posts with immediate effect after having their contracts terminated. The process to appoint a new manager is under way.’
MacDonald in charge on Saturday again.
Talk about a clean sweep!
Pat 57 that’s good to clear the decks, Bruce alone wasn’t to blame they have to take the can as well.
Never seen a clean sweep Pat LOL – ah well there’s a first for everything
No, no, no, Sky have Sam Allardyce as an early front runner – say it’s not true.
Where’s the ‘dislike’ button when you need one!
I wouldn’t worry too much Hitch it seems that every bookie had a different favourite which means that they haven’t got a clue either.
It’s not true. I think it will be much more exciting. Allardyce is just Bruce+
DS, I’d give Big Sam a Bruce – – LOL
Fair point! Although Allerdyce would give us a decent defence!
Not with the defenders we’ve got DS – unless he can work miracles!
It’s not true its not true its not true=== how many Hitch
Keep going Bill – I’ll join in …. It’s not true, It’s not true etc …..
When I heard on the radio Steve Bruce had been sacked I shouted yes three times very loudly and punch my fist in the air.
I do agree with a number of comments thanking Steve Bruce for stopping the decline of our club. Unfortunately, it has proven a step too far for him to develop a team where each person knows their position and what is expected of them.
Are you like me and find the hunt for a new manager exciting? Already expected names of being bandied around. Personally, I would love our owners to identify someone who successfully build a villa dynasty. One that would match and surpass Alex Ferguson at Man United. That is my dream.Just think it’s 40 odd years since we last had someone of that calibre, namely Ron Saunders.
Best news I’ve heard all day.
If we are to show any real ambition we should be doing all we can to lure Brendan Rodgers to Villa. I really think if he could get a way out of celtic he would take it. I think though that it will be some unknown from Europe. Mendes links and all that. I just want to see us play football again. Its been years since I’ve actually enjoyed watching Villa. Whoever it is will get my support.
On a serious note – of concern is that some players have already publicly indicated their concern at Bruce’s sacking – more negativity in the dressing room is what we don’t need.
However, the players should also look at their own performances because they have failed to meet the standards required of them irrespective of whether or not Bruce got his team selections / tactics right.
I fear we are going to see quite a lot of turmoil around VP in the coming days / weeks and am not going to expect a massive change in fortune in the short to medium term.