Lansbury gets an invite to party

HENRI Lansbury has been challenged to play an important part in Villa’s Championship promotion push between now and May.

Manager Steve Bruce has been delighted with the way last January’s signings have started to step up their performance levels.

Scott Hogan has rattled in four goals in three games, while Conor Hourihane has been in good form and Birkir Bjarnason is enjoying a revival.

Sam Johnstone has been consistently impressive after overcoming a tough start, while James Bree and Jacob Bedeau were signed with the future in mind.

That just leaves Lansbury, who has shone in flashes but struggled with injury and inconsistency since arriving from Nottingham Forest a year ago.

Bruce reckons Hogan’s emer- gence is an example of the time and patience signings need to settle in. “That’s why we brought him and we invested heavily in him,” he said. “I’m delighted for him, because there’s probably been some times where he’s had some dark moments. “It just shows you, we’re very quick to judge people now, instantly. All of them who I signed last January have only just come to terms with it now, what playing for Aston Villa is.

“Birkir, for example, has put in two wonderful performances in the last couple of games. Hourihane has always done okay.

“Now we need Lansbury to come to the party too. He’s had a big problem with injury but hopefully the second part of the season we’ll see the emergence of him too.”