Bruce: Veteran duo have grabbed revived Villa by the neck
STEVE Bruce has singled out two key players for praise as Aston Villa begin preparations for Saturday’s clash with Wolves.
The boss believes the reason his side are unbeaten in eight games and just five points off the top of the Championship table is down to a new-found grit and determination to see out matches.
Bruce reckons experience and know-how is essential to any promotion-winning side and has been quick to laud the impact of John Terry and Glenn Whelan.
“The reason I brought them here was because of their strength of character,” he said. “Make no mis- take, I wish they were both 26, but I brought them here for their mentality. It’s a difficult gig here.
“The experience they have had, playing at international level and the Premier League, I knew it wouldn’t daunt them.
“They have grasped it by the neck and enjoy it and they are rubbing off on others.”
Terry is an ever-present so far this season and his form has been impressive alongside James Chester in the heart of defence.
Whelan has also started the last four games as Bruce named an unchanged side on each occasion after finally finding the stability and continuity he so desperately craved. “At Barnsley and Burton, John was fantastic,” added Bruce. “He has a real humility about him. “He does not want to be the big loud voice. Very quietly he has gone about it. “He is a natural leader and you don’t get many of them very often. “The way he is playing at the moment has been terrific. “Even he needed to play. He has not played a lot over the last two years but the last few games he has been exceptional.”
The off-the-pitch presence of Terry and Whelan has also lifted a Villa group who were struggling prior to their arrival. Last season’s shortcomings saw Villa finish in 13th place after a disappointing start to the campaign under Roberto Di Matteo and a slip-up after the turn of the year under Bruce.
But Terry and Whelan have both lifted standards at Bodymoor Heath and their individual displays in the first ten games have helped.
Barring any new injuries, Bruce knows the team he wants to send out but this weekend he will be without Neil Taylor, who starts a three-game suspension.