Bruce: I’ll beg, steal & borrow
STEVE BRUCE is set for showdown talks with Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia this weekend over team strengthening – but believes the Chinese billionaire’s wallet will have to stay closed.
Villa’s manager is certain he will be told that the club remains on the critical list, with respect to Financial Fair Play.
And that means he will have to “beg, borrow and steal” if he is to maintain a promotion push after a horrific few weeks of injuries.
Bruce has seen skipper John Terry limp out of action with a broken metatarsal and has lost Scott Hogan to a bowel condition that flared up during the striker’s international break with Ireland.
And last season’s leading scorer Jonathan Kodjia has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured ankle.
Bruce said: “The club will try to help me, I know they will. I’m due to see the chairman. He’s talking to me. Money is an issue because of FFP – still.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see how much money the club has spent over the years.
“We spent £2million in the summer and took in £20m. Personally, I’m in credit. But I’ve still got a hole to look at.
“I understand it’s difficult at a club like this.
“And I know the people here will do the best they can. We begged, stole and borrowed in the summer.
“We got in Josh Onomah, Sam Johnstone and Robert Snodgrass – all on loan, all good players.
“That’s the situation we are in – and that’s what we are facing.
“And that’s when I, as a manager, earn my money.”