Former Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce bemoans 'cruel' defeat to Dean Smith's side

Stoppage time goals from Albert Adomah and Tammy Abraham saw Villa snatch a dramatic 3-1 victory at Hillsborough.

Bruce, axed by Villa last October, saw his 11-match unbeaten run since taking charge at Hillsborough brought to an end by a defeat which also damaged his team’s already faint play-off hopes.

And he said: “I’ve been in football a long time and it is cruel at times. Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.

“Certainly today was one of those days where it happened.

“The second half was an onslaught. We just needed that break which never came, unfortunately.

“In terms of the way we played, I couldn’t have asked for any more. On another day you win the game which was what we wanted to do.”

Wednesday made the perfect start when Gary Hooper gave them a seventh minute lead.

But they were pegged back when John McGinn, who Bruce signed last summer in a £2.75million deal, equalised with a fine finish.

Jed Steer then saved Steven Fletcher’s second-half penalty before Villa nicked it at the death.

Bruce said: “The turning point is the penalty. Arguably the best player since I’ve been here, Fletcher, misses it.

“Big moments in big games you need to take the chances. Unfortunately we didn’t take them.

“We nearly blew away Aston Villa today. I couldn’t have asked any more from them.

“This time of year you need a bit of luck. It’s not about the performance.

“If it’s the bounce of the ball or something else.

“But when you miss penalties, you know it’s not going to be your day.”