Steve Bruce regrets Aston Villa fatigue as promotion race heats up
Friday 16 March 2018 10:54, UK
Steve Bruce admits he made a mistake in not changing his fatigued Aston Villa side ahead of their defeat to Queens Park Rangers as the race for promotion draws to a climax.
Villa thrashed Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves 4-1 on Saturday, with Bruce naming an unchanged side for the visit of QPR three days later - only to lose 3-1 at home.
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The defeat left Villa seven points off the automatic promotion places ahead of their away fixture against Bolton on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football, and Bruce hopes his error will not prove costly in a "marathon" campaign.
"That's the aim and the beauty of the Championship, it is an endurance test. It's physically and mentally hard work," said Bruce ahead of what will be Villa's fourth game in 10 days.
"The other night I kicked myself because I should have made at least three or four changes, freshened up.
"I had the opportunity, I thought about it on Saturday night, to get ready for the challenge of lifting us for the visit of QPR on Tuesday.
"I regret that but we make mistakes.
"The one thing about management is you make decisions and you hope the majority are right, if not it's off with your head.
"Last week I got it wrong. Let's hope I do better this week."
Bruce would not reveal the points total he believes will secure promotion to the Premier League, but said: "If anybody beats that you take your hat off to them and say 'well done'".
The Villa boss believes Wolves have been the best team in the league so far, but queried their player recruitment.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has sent a letter to the EFL and the FA demanding clarification of the working relationship between Wolves and super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said last week "it doesn't bother me if they sign Neymar".
Bruce said: "The big question is how are they luring Champions League players to play in the Championship?
"It's not for me to get involved with. At the end of the day they've been the best team in the division, without question, until now. How they are run and the rest of it is for other people to ask the questions.
"We've made it pretty clear what we think about it. The EFL are looking into it and if that's the case let's see what they've got."
