All about results for Steve Bruce’s first year at Aston Villa

Those are the words of Steve Bruce when asked what has changed the most after his first year as Villa boss.

His reign started on October 12 last year and his first game in charge was against none other than this evening’s opponents Wolves.

They drew 1-1 and while Bruce admits they were ‘lucky’ to get a point that day, it set the tone for stabilisation before moving in the right direction.

“What I think I have done in the past year is try to bring some stability and get over that culture of getting beat and accepting it,” he said.

“When we had only won five games in 18 months, it was difficult.

“That is the top and bottom of it – we won five games in 18 months for a club like this, 15 in two years.

“It was difficult. I knew it was going to be a tough job.

“(The first game) was against Wolves and I remember driving home and thinking ‘we have been lucky there that we didn’t lose’.

“Where we are in the league table suggests there has been progress and I thought this summer was an important time.”

Bruce has now had two windows to stamp his mark on the squad and he now feels has a good blend of know-how and youthful exuberance.

“The experienced lads we brought in and the loan players we have brought in have certainly helped,” he said.

“John Terry and Glenn Whelan have been fantastic around the building – they are proper pros. That was important and the mixture of the young ones coming through helps.

“We are always based on results but we are in a better place than a year ago and I hope that continues, that’s the job.

Bruce has a decision to make over how to play at left-back at Molineux. Neil Taylor is suspended and Alan Hutton, Ritchie De Laet and James Bree – all right-backs by trade – are the main options, although youngster Mitchell Clark has been considered.

“De Laet, Hutton or Bree. Mitch Clark is another one – a youngster who did very well against Wigan in the cup,” said Bruce.

“I’ll probably go with experience as it is a big game.

“In an ideal word, you would love them to be natural left-backs – but they ain’t.

“We were very, very close to a young player in the summer but it didn’t quite happen.

“It would have been the ideal cover for Tayls but people can play on the other side.

“We got a wonderful price for Jordan Amavi, the money (believed to be around £9million) was too good – we had to take it.

“Amavi going was too big an offer to refuse.”

At right-back should be Ahmed Elmohamady, who is fresh off qualifying for the World Cup with Egypt.

Bruce added: “We couldn’t bring him back on Tuesday as he had to see the president or something. It is fantastic for them to qualify.”