Bruce’s debut ends badly as Villa blow another lead
Hull boss will be forced to wait for his fifth promotion.
Yet again, the home side were dominant. Yet again, their concentration slipped, the back four going AWOL as a stray ball found Helder Costa steaming in unmarked. Costa’s strike hit the outstretched arm of Aly Cissokho, Cootes evened up the penalty count and Wolves’ Portuguese winger made it 1-1.
Predictably, Villa wilted. Wolves took total control of the second half, with Costa’s pace the catalyst. Three times the on-loan Benfica man seared into the box, twice sending shots wide before finding Jon Dadi Bodvarsson inside the six-yard box. Felled by Micah Richards, the Icelandic striker was understandably furious to see is penalty claims waved away.
“In that moment, the way we were dominating, it would have killed the game,” said a miffed Walter Zenga. “It was clear, and I am very disappointed.”
Bodvarsson broke clear again, Dave Edwards miscued a shot, then Prince Oniangue skimmed a glorious chance wide.
By the end, Villa were camped in their box, desperately repelling wave after wave of golden shirts.
A crowd subjected to just three wins in 13 months was once again on the brink of mutiny; had sub Ivan Cavaleiro put a late point-blank strike anywhere but straight at Villa keeper Pierluigi Gollini, the place would have erupted.
“We played with spirit, with attitude, with courage,” added Zenga. “Even when Villa went 1-0 up, we continued to play. You saw today how good we can be. What we need now is consistency.”