Villa boss admits Lions deserved their point

Steve Bruce refused to blame Aston Villa’s injury crisis after lowly Millwall held them to a frustrating goalless home draw.

It could have been even worse for Villa, with Sam Johnstone saving well from Jed Wallace and Lee Gregory skimming the crossbar, and Bruce had to be content with a point.

He said: “Sometimes you have to take your hat off to the opposition. If ever you want to know how difficult the Championship is you only have to look at Millwall.

“They are big, strong, physical, powerful, committed, ran a million miles and caused us all sorts of problems.

“We didn’t deal with the first ball, or the second. When we had the ball we gave it away.

“All in all we will take the point and move forward because any other day it could have been one of those horrible afternoons when you lose.

“When my goalkeeper (Sam Johnstone) is the best Villa player at home then it tells you we have not done enough.”

But Bruce steadfastly refused to blame the problems the lack of key players including the inspirational John Terry and last season’s leading goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia.

Brucesaid: “I do not want to make excuses because we have had these players out for several months.

“We have got to do better than we played against Millwall, whatever XI I pick.”

Millwall battled the entire 90 minutes and created several anxious moments for a Villa defence which appeared vulnerable under pressure.