Boss must be more positive, says Hendrie

FORMER Villa star Lee Hendrie has warned Steve Bruce to take the tactical shackles off his team and utilise the attacking options he has brought to the club.

Hendrie, who played more than 300 games for the club, stopped short of calling for a change of management but does want to see a more positive attitude from Bruce.

“They just didn’t seem to be at it at all,” said the 41-year-old as he reflected on Villa’s 4-1 hammering at Sheffield United last weekend. “My only question mark is (Mile) Jedinak, he has got him centre-half. Everyone seems to be pointing the finger at Jedinak because that’s not his position, he’s a defensive-minded midfielder.

“Sheffield United away, a tough place to go, a good side, play expansive football and I thought this was going to be a big test.

“It could have been a lot more looking at the highlights. Steve did say it could have been more embarrassing than it was.

“I think it has got everyone’s backs up, fan-wise. There was a bit of aggression and they took it out on Steve with the result.

“I think he has done a fantastic job, I really do. He has got that experience of taking teams back into the Premier League.

“He has brought players in that, for me, are going to push the club back to where they should be. They got close last season.

“I wouldn’t push any alarm bells but, as fans and ex-players, we want to see a little bit more excitement and enjoyable football.

“I have watched Villa so much this season and it’s the same old story, we sit back a little bit too much and invite teams on to us.

“With what we have got going forward, especially bringing in (Yannick) Bolasie and the lad (Anwar) El Ghazi and obviously (Tammy) Abraham, they have got a fantastic attack force. There’s Jack Grealish there. I would like to see us be a little bit more expansive going forward.”