Aston Villa: Bruce reacts to Leeds loss, Gollini and the fans

Aston Villa’s seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end in a 2-0 loss to Leeds United, giving Steve Bruce his first defeat as Villa manager. Bruce gave his views to Birmingham Mail on how it went wrong at Elland Road.

A costly error by goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini allowed Kemar Roofe to take the lead for Leeds United in the second-half and a 94th-minute Chris Wood goal sealed victory for the Yorkshire team.

Steve Bruce refused to lay the blame on the Italian-stopper Gollini in a post-match interview, “He’s OK. Disappointed I would have thought. Everybody makes a mistake. You are not going to get me sitting here criticising any individual.

“He’s made a mistake, he knows he’s made a mistake. We move forward.”

The 21-year-old had an uneasy start to life in England since arriving from Hellas Verona but has silenced critics with some fine performances of late. The Italian youth international has made 18 starts for the Championship club this term.

The Villa boss felt his side we on-top in the first half:

“Up until the first goal we’ve had the best opportunities. We’ve had two just after half time in a game, in which it has to be said, wasn’t enthralling in the first half.

“I thought we were in charge of it. You have to take that chance in a big game like today and we’ve had two just after half time when we didn’t take that chance.”

Steve Bruce is still expecting to be amongst the promotion mix by the end of the season and remains optimistic. With Leeds being the only team in the top five to win over the weekend, Bruce has every right to be positive.

The boss also commented on his side’s travelling support, who sold-out their 2,800 allocation, “It’s testament to them that they’ve filled their allocation again,” he said. “There’s not many clubs that can manage to do that.

“I’m disappointed for them on way their home. Their support is unrivalled and I’m sure that will continue.”

Bruce and his team now look to their next game against Wigan Athletic and will hope to return to winning ways. Bruce said, “It’s a big chance to bounce back. We have to now recover and dust ourselves down and get on with it.

“Were disappointed to lose because I didn’t think we deserved to lose, but when we made mistakes like we did we got punished.”

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