Bruce tells players to take break
STEVE Bruce is rewarding his Villa players for their fine form by giving them a mini-break ahead of next Tuesday’s promotion six-pointer against Sheffield United.
Villa have been in sparkling form in recent weeks and added Barnsley to their list of victims with a 3-1 success at Villa Park last Saturday.
And with seven days until their next match, Bruce has promised his players and staff a few days off this week to recuperate ahead of a busy run-in.
“I’m giving everybody three or four days off,” said the manager. “James Chester played with the flu really (against Barnsley) and he looked like it towards the end.
“All my staff have been sick, my doctor’s had it, my second in command has had it, the staff have had it, they’ve all had it! “It’s the ideal time to give everyone three or four days off in preparation for Sheffield United. I hope my phone won’t be ringing too much.”
With no game on Saturday due to the Blades’ involvement in the FA Cup, Bruce will use the tail-end of this week to prepare for next Tuesday’s crunch clash.
Meanwhile, Ritchie De Laet has joined Belgian side Royal Antwerp on loan until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old defender has found game-time hard to come by at Villa Park since returning from a long-term knee injury over the summer.
De Laet was born in Antwerp and began his career with the club in the Belgian Pro League before joining Stoke City at the age of 19.
Former Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo signed De Laet from Leicester City in summer 2016 but he suffered a serious knee injury in just his third appearance.