Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce felt that a series of mistakes cost his side during their 2-0 defeat to Derby County.
Former Villa winger Andreas Weimann and substitute Johnny Russell scored either side of half time to give Derby their first win over the Villans since 2001.
Weimann’s goal came about via a mistake from Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan, who picked out in-form forward Matej Vydra with a misplaced pass and he went on to provide the assist for Weimann’s second goal in as many games.
The Villans’ manager Bruce felt that his side’s defeat was due to too many errors from his side.
“We made so many mistakes, especially in the first 20 minutes”, he said.
“I can’t remember us making that many all season. From the very first minute we have put them through and we didn’t really recover.
“Individual error is something that we need to eradicate because we have made far too many mistakes, especially in a big game like today.
“The disappointing thing for me was the number of mistakes we made, we made so many it was scary. We have gifted them the game really.”
Whelan was substituted in the second half and showed his frustrations.
But Bruce was quick to defend his midfielder and felt that he was not the only player making mistakes.
He added: “We have all made them; it is part and parcel of football unfortunately.
“Glenn is obviously an experienced international footballer and there is nobody more disappointed than he will be today.
“However, he has been very good for us and will continue to be. Up until then, he was playing very well; he made a mistake, but he wasn’t alone.”
A major talking point in the match happened when the teams were announced at 2pm.
Striker Keinan Davis was not in the team against the Rams due to what Bruce confirmed as sickness.
The Villa manager said that Davis is a massive blow to the side and that without him and the already injured Jonathan Kodjia, he is lacking in striking options.
“I don’t want to dwell, we have been dealt a bitter blow with Kodjia,” he said.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but it was a big blow to us because of the impact he has had.
“He is our only real number nine when Kodjia is not there; it is a disappointment for us but I do not want to make that an excuse.”
The Claret and Blue Army’s next game is at home to fellow play-off rivals Sheffield United next Saturday.
