Bruce: Gabby putting team-mates to shame
STEVE Bruce has praised Gabby Agbonlahor for his performance in the defeat at Cardiff, claiming he did more in five minutes than the rest of the team managed in the entire first half.
Aston Villa’s longest-serving player showed flashes of his old self and went close on two occasions to finding an equaliser. Agbonlahor’s second-half chances were Villa’s only open-play opportunities and Bruce was cursing his decision not to field the 30-year-old from the start.
“Gabby was excellent and, yes, maybe I should have played him from the start,’’ he said. “He did more in five minutes than what they all did in the first half, so fair play to him.”
Agbonlahor off and put ran his socks the Cardiff defence under pressure when he was introduced at the interval as part of a double change that also saw Aaron Tshibola come on as Ashley Westwood and Gary Gardner were replaced.
“All along, I’ve known we were going to lose two forwards in January [to the African Cup of Nations],’’ said Bruce. “Gabby has done everything he can to turn it around and we need more of it. At least he showed me something, that he cared. That’s important to me.”
Cardiff keeper Brian Murphy twice denied the striker and Bruce admitted he thought Agnonlahor’s second chance was going in.
“He was so unfortunate. Whether it’s lucky or a good save I don’t know,’’ the manager added.