BRUCE GETS THE RHYTHM & BLUES FOR CHRISTMAS

STEVE BRUCE has given the thumbs-up to his Aston Villa players having a Christmas bash – after years in an “awful place.”

The Villa squad threw a fancy-dress party last Saturday – 24 hours after showing their spirit to salvage a point at Leeds.

Very much in the promotion chase, it is the first festive period for some time that the Blues have had something to cheer, at least judging by the antics of Robert Snodgrass (above) in training yesterday. Former manager Remi Garde banned Christmas celebrations two years ago in the season the Midlanders were relegated from the Premier League.

Celebrations by the players have been kept very much low-key in other recent seasons.

Bruce said: “They deserve to let their hair down every now and then.

“It’s very difficult to have a Christmas party when you haven’t won for eight weeks or whatever.

“But I do believe it’s important that there’s a spirit that comes alive.

“I don’t care how strong your dressing room is, when you’ve only won five games in 18 months the dressing room should be an awful place.”

Among the party-goers was Gabby Agbonlahor, who has returned to training.

The striker’s deal runs out in the summer and Bruce insists the ball is now in his court. He added: “Can he put himself in a position to get a new contract at the end of the season? I’ve got a totally open mind.”