Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce urges fans to get behind Josh Onomah as Tottenham loanee seeks to rediscover top form

Onomah has made 28 appearances for promotion-chasing Villa in the Championship but his recent performances have not matched the standard of those which made him a regular starter earlier in the campaign.

The 20-year-old’s withdrawal after an hour of last Saturday’s 4-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday was greeted with sarcastic cheers by some sections of the away following.

Bruce has argued Onomah, who is on a season-long loan from White Hart Lane, is still a young player learning the game and is urging fans not to forget the impact he has already had on Villa’s season.

“Let’s not forget some of the really great performances Josh had for us,” said Bruce. “I hope they (the fans) realise we need them to encourage him and get behind him.

“He has come from Tottenham and we are forgetting he is the same age as Callum (O’Hare) and Keinan (Davis).

“He is young player, who needs help learning the game but has been involved 28 times, which is remarkable.

“I didn’t think he would get anywhere near that. But away at Preston, at Bristol City – Fulham and QPR, you can reel them off.

“He had a really great start and you expect a young player to go up and down.

“Keinan (Davis) is an example, we had to take him out for a month to freshen him up. Let’s get behind the boy. When people are behind you, you get more rewards.”

Asked whether he had considered taking Onomah out of the firing line, Bruce replied: “I expected to be leaving him to a degree because I did not think it was possible for a 20-year-old to play as many times as he has.

“It is usually three, four or five games and then give them a break. It is not just physically but emotionally, your first full season, playing in front of a big and expectant crowd, trying to get promotion.

“It is difficult for a young lad. But let’s not forget what he has done for us.”

Villa are poised to welcome back top scorer Albert Adomah for Saturday’s home game with QPR, following his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Jack Grealish (calf) remains sidelined but could return for Tuesday’s trip to Sunderland. Alan Hutton and Axel Tuanzebe have both been ruled out with hamstring injuries.