Bruce’s men in mood for Cats’ visit

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce hailed Albert Adomah and youngster Keinan Davis after their starring role in Saturday’s 2-1 win at QPR.

Adomah, a boyhood QPR fan, equalised with a penalty in the final seconds of the first half after Jamie Mackie’s 18th-minute goal had put the home side ahead.

And the exBoro winger took his goal tally for the season to eight with a cool finish 13 minutes into the second half.

“Albert has added goals to his game, which is great,” said Bruce, whose side host former club Sunderland at Villa Park tomorrow night.

“He’s done very well. At the start of the season, he wasn’t in the team and he didn’t moan or groan.

“He got on with it, came into my office and said, ‘I’ll prove you you wrong’.

“He trained well, worked hard and when he gets his chance he takes it.”

While Adomah scored the goals, Davis was excellent up front. The 19-yearold, who was signed from non-league Biggleswade Town in 2015 and signed a new three-year contract last week, was handed a chance because of Villa’s injury problems.

Bruce (pictured) said: “If a big name drops out it gives others an opportunity – and proof of that was Keinan. He was immense and it just shows you where you can come from in a short space of time. I’m very pleased with him.

“We’re all absolutely delighted – a big well done to whoever found him.

“I haven’t quite got to the bottom of who did, because they’re all coming out of the woodwork.

“The reaction when QPR scored was great and I thought we looked a very decent team, especially at the top end of the pitch. The way we played pleased me. We played it forward, were energetic and looked a threat. We did very well.”

Birmingham climbed out of the drop zone after Che Adams’ strike secured a 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest.

Tomasz Kuszczak made a number of fine saves, including one from Tyler Walker’s powerful low drive, to keep Blues ahead.