Bruce: It’s been tough but our football will get better

VILLA boss Steve Bruce has pledged: “Our football will get better.”

Bruce has lifted Villa to within touching distance of the Championship play-off places but his team are yet to click in terms of performances.

That was the case again on Boxing Day as they laboured for parts of the game against Burton Albion before clinching a 2-1 victory.

Bruce (pictured) admits it is a constant challenge to maintain the confidence levels of the players.

“We’re trying to breathe a bit of life into them,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy.

“It’s been difficult after what’s gone on here. I don’t want to keep harping on about it.

“They’ve got off to an awful start, so that seeps and ebbs away at the confidence of the ones who remained here. Of course, the other lads are trying to adjust so there’s been big changes at the club. “Big changes in the summer, in the summer before, all the time. “With that then it becomes uncertainty but I think our football will get better.” Bruce admits he could understand the frustrations of a near-full house during the game.

There was one moment when the ball was worked all the way back to goalkeeper Mark Bunn after a promising attacking move broke down and the fans vented their frustrations.

Bruce said: “We kept making mistake after mistake and the crowd let it be known.

“But I have to say, magnificent support, unbelievable.”