We will take it in Hour stride
CONOR HOURIHANE says Aston Villa’s players can cope with the pressure.
After a poor start to the season, Villa are two points off the top six.
“We are always under pressure at this club because expectations are really high,” said Hourihane, after his 50th career goal secured the win.
Albert Adomah had put Villa ahead before Daryl Murphy equalised.
“Everyone wants to get promoted, the players, the fans,” added Hourihane.
“It is the biggest club in the division and people expect us to win every game.
“Everyone has to handle the pressure and take it in your stride.
“We are creeping up the table. Hopefully we will keep creeping. I’m sure people know we are on the way.”
Boss Steve Bruce has taken plenty of flak but said: “At the end of the day, we are just about where we should be.
“Maybe two points off where we wanted to be.”
Nottingham Forest have lost four of their last five games and boss Mark Warburton was angered by the way his side conceded both goals.
“I thought we were good in the second half but whatever venue, whether you go to Hillsborough or wherever, you can’t have to score three goals at Villa Park to win a game,” he said.
“That’s what we are leaving ourselves at the moment. We were dominant in the second half and showed our character and to come away with nothing is really frustrating.”
Forest face Fulham tomorrow night and Warburton said: “If we’d have played awful then I’d hold my hands up and say we didn’t deserve anything but the boys know we are not far away, it is down to fine margins.
“They’re not going in our favour and we’ve got to work hard to make sure they do go in our favour.”