Manager Steve Bruce has been back in front of the press this weekend, and his topics of conversation were James Bree and Sam Johnstone.
Beginning with Bree, speaking to the Official Site as he met with the wider press, Bruce focused on how he stepped back into the first team fold to make his full home debut for Villa against Sheffield Wednesday in our last match.
The gaffer said of the 19 year old former Barnsley right back.
‘James has already put in some very assured performances. He has a wonderful future in the game. He is only a boy – he`s just 19-years-old. He has a bright future. James has walked into the club and looked like he`s been here for years and years. He is level-headed, quiet and nothing seems to faze him. He just gets on with his job. James is going to be a very good player.’
As for on loan Manchester United goalkeeper Johnstone, Bruce had been delighted with his turn in form as following a few hairy moments early on following his arrival, the gaffer knows his confidence is ‘growing with every game’ as he registered his fourth clean sheet in the last five matches against Wednesday.
He said of the 23 year old.
‘I was very pleased with the clean sheet. It was vitally important. Our goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, is growing in confidence with every game. That`s now four clean sheets in five games. That gives you the platform. There`s a resilience there with the lads at the back. We are seeing a spirit throughout the squad – they are showing it really means something. I think Sam is an exceptionally good young goalkeeper. He works tirelessly – he works and works and works. I was pleased for him.’
Let’s hope he can lavish praise on others between now and the end of the campaign and we finish off what has ultimately been another disappointing year in some style.
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