Steve Bruce hails Sam Johnstone as Aston Villa bounce back

With Villa leading 2-1 in the second half, on loan Manchester United loan star Johnstone denied Floyd Ayite at point blank range.

Bruce compared the stop to one made by United No.1 David De Gea during a recent 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough.

He said: “Sam’s save was as good a save as I have seen for a very long time. It was up there with the De Gea save, a reflex stop.”

Bruce admitted Johnstone, who Villa are hoping to sign on a permanent deal in January, had been disappointed with failing to keep out Stefan Johansen’s first-half free-kick, which cancelled out John Terry’s opener for the hosts.

Albert Adomah fired Villa back in front early in the second half before Johnstone denied Ayite to preserve the points.

“I know Sam was disappointed with their goal,” said Bruce. “It’s understandable because the free-kick has gone in his side.

“Sam has done superbly in the last 12 months. It is typical of a young player.

“It took him time to adapt but given time he looks a very, very good goalkeeper. I appreciate (United boss) Jose Mourinho letting us have him again for another season.

“He is getting better all the time and I hope he is Aston Villa’s goalkeeper for a long time.”

The win, Villa’s fifth in six games, saw them move fifth in table, the first time they have been in the top six since relegation from the Premier League 18 months ago.

“It is better than being in the bottom six but we are just about starting,” said Bruce.

“The winter is just upon us, the training ground has become bleak and the marathon starts now.

“There is a long, long winter ahead but we have made progress from where we were 12 months ago and rightly so.

“This club has got to be in and around where we are at the moment. We would like to have a few more points but from a poor start we have dug deep. It’s one defeat in ten now and we are going the right way.”