Bruce has no problem with Dean being in middle

ASTON Villa boss Steve Bruce has no issues over Mike Dean’s appointment as referee for their trip to Tottenham.

The official has been in the spotlight after his decision to send off West Ham’s Sofiane Feghouli for a challenge on Manchester United’s Phil Jones on Monday.

The Hammers won an appeal against the red card and boss Slaven Bilic said it was Jones who should have been dismissed instead.

Ex-top flight referees Graham Poll and Mark Halsey have also been critical of Dean, who has been a Premier League official since 2000, this week.

However, despite the controversy, Bruce is happy with Dean and defended referees ahead of Villa’s FA Cup thirdround game at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Bruce said: “It’s a hard job. I tried to referee this morning. All of them do a fabulous job. Yes we criticise them but it’s so fast now. Mike Dean is a very good referee and has proved that over the years.

“Everything has changed, everything has got quicker. Human beings have got quicker, balls have, the grass is better, surfaces, everything is quicker — including referees.

“They have to go through a tough training regime too, let’s not forget that, especially Premier League ones.

“To get there you have to do a rigorous fitness programme. They have a hard job, especially now, when there’s a camera at every angle.

“Of course they make mistakes which we’re on the end of but, overall, they do a fantastic job. The Premier League referees for me, when you see the rest of Europe, are very, very good.”

Bruce could give Manchester United loanee keeper Sam Johnstone a debut against Tottenham.