Dogged Bruce has built team fit for occasion
WE had a team that would have trampled over their grandmother to win, Steve Bruce says of one of his Championship promotion-winning squads.
The Aston Villa manager is embarking on his third play-off campaign and going for a fifth promotion from the Championship.
He knows what it takes – and he’s built a team fit for the occasion.
Bruce’s transfer policy has been to sign old heads ‘who can handle’ not only the pressure of playing for a big club, but also the pressure Villa’s May fixtures will bring.
A two-leg tie which lead to a promotion will hopefully shoot-out at Wembley on May 26. But what does it take to win the play-offs?
“The key is standing up to be counted,” said Bruce. “I had a few dogs and mongrels in that Birmingham squad who enjoyed it. Experienced players who loved nights like that.
“That is what Birmingham became. We had a team that would have trampled over their grandmother to win.”
It looks as though the team standing in Bruce’s way this time around will be Middlesbrough.
Tony Pulis’ men are all but guaranteed to finish fifth while Villa have already secured fourth. Villa head to Millwall in the final round of fixtures on Sunday while Boro head to Ipswich Town, and Derby County, currently sixth and three points behind Boro, face Barnsley at home.
Villa have played Boro three times this season. They were unbeaten in the two league fixtures – a highly eventful 0-0 draw at Villa Park and a 1-0 away win – but a much-changed XI were beaten 2-0 in the Carabao Cup.
If it is Boro, they will pose a much sterner test than they did in December when Robert Snodgrass’ header sealed three points at the Riverside.
Since Pulis’ first game on December 30 they have been among the Championship’s form teams.
“I think Middlesbrough are in better form than us, the recent games tell you that,” said Bruce’s No.2, Colin Calderwood.
However, while Boro’s hopes rest on the unpredictable Adama Traore, Villa have a squad of experienced cam- paigners. Seven of them have experienced promotion to the Premier League and three of those players achieved it with Hull City alongside Bruce in 2016.
“It’s experience,” explained Ahmed Elmohamady, who helped Bruce win promotion with the Tigers. “That’s going to help the team a lot.
“I had it before with Hull. We played Derby in the two semi-final games. We won the first leg 3-0 away. In the second leg, we were 2-0 down after ten minutes. It’s very difficult.
“Whatever the score in the first leg, you have to be careful. It’s two games. We’ll play away first, which gives us more chance. Then Villa Park is going to be full. We have enough experienced players in the team to get through.”