Steve Bruce: Aston Villa squad players blew their chance

Goalkeeper Jed Steer was the only one to emerge with any credit, as Villa crashed out of the competition to lower league opposition at the third round stage for the third time in six seasons.

Jack Marriott’s double and a Ryan Tafazolli header saw the Posh come from behind to claim a deserved 3-1 win at Villa Park.

With promotion very much the primary aim for Villa, Bruce defended his decision to make 10 changes from the team which defeated Bristol City 5-0 on New Year’s Day.

Yet he was left visibly angered by the performance and warned several players had squandered their chance to stake a claim for more regular playing time.

“It stops the knocking at the door and the ‘why am I not playing?’. In that respect, it has served its purpose,” said the boss.

“It is difficult to accept, though, I will give you that.

“I have no regrets. I have picked a team I thought was good enough to go and beat Peterborough.

“In the end we were well beaten by the better side on the day. I have to live with the consequences and I know what is best for the club going forward.”

John Terry completed 90 minutes on his return from injury to give boost a Bruce on an otherwise miserable day.

Keinan Davis had given Villa the perfect start when he fired them in front inside eight minutes but Peterborough went on to dominate.

“We have got in front and thought ‘this is going to be a stroll in the park, this is going to be easy’. That wasn’t the case,” said Bruce.

“Peterborough have some good individual players. We have not done enough. We did not take part in the cup tie and that is the disappointing thing for me.

“The manner of the defeat is what hurt me more than anything. You can get beat but get beat with your boots on. We were far, far short of what is required.”