Villa target Boro win to lift grieving Bruce
AN EMOTIONAL return to the touchline ended in defeat for Steve Bruce, just two days after the passing of the Aston Villa manager’s mother, Sheenagh. Bruce, who lost his father Joe in February, was bravely back in the dugout at Millwall and made eight changes with one eye on the post-season play-offs. Villa, who finished fourth in the Championship, will head to Middlesbrough on Saturday in the first leg of the semi-finals as they chase promotion to the Premier League. Assistant Colin Calderwood filled in for Bruce at his post-match press conference and said the club will do their best to lift the spirits of their boss. ‘He’s had a real tough time from January onwards so we will give him the help we can,’ Calderwood said. ‘He’s the main man, everyone knows at the club he is a leader. We’ll get through the few days and help him as best we can moving forward.’ Millwall started the season among the favourites to go down but this 1-0 win, courtesy of Shaun Williams’s penalty, confirmed eighth place for Neil Harris’s side. After half an hour, the Den’s vocal supporters were given something to shout about when referee Tim Robinson awarded the decisive penalty. Jed Wallace tumbled over in the box, following a challenge by Villa midfielder Henri Lansbury, before Williams stepped up and sent goalkeeper Mark Bunn the wrong way. ‘I wanted to win the game,’ Harris said. ‘Villa are an excellent side. They made it difficult for us but I’m delighted with the character of the boys, the spirit of the camp.’ In the 85th minute, Millwall were awarded another penalty after a Fred Onyedinma header was blocked by James Bree’s arm. Lee Gregory took this one but Bunn denied him and James Meredith’s rebound.