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Aston Villa news: It's like having a new player - Steve Bruce raves about star
ASTON VILLA manager Steve Bruce believes Henri Lansbury’s return from injury is like having a “new player”.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce was full of praise for Henri Lansbury
Midfielder Lansbury had not featured in the Championship since mid-September due to a serious knee problem but stepped off the bench against Leeds United last night to rescue a point.
“He's been struggling with a knee injury and in the last few weeks looks to have been free of pain,” Bruce said in his post-match press conference.
“It's shown in the way he's trained and looked recently and we know what a good player he is.
“Now, it's like having a new player.
“We were without him and [Jack] Grealish for three months.
“It's never easy with talent like that out, so it's good to have them back.”
Leeds 1 Aston Villa 1 player ratings
It's like having a new player
Winger Grealish has not started a game all season due to a kidney problem and Bruce believes his improving fitness is another timely boost for Villa.
“He made a big impact and we all know what he's got,” he said.
“He's had an awful injury and it's good to have him back again.
“Jack looks as though he's in really good shape.
“We're delighted he's back on the pitch.”
Henri Lansbury celebrates his equaliser
Villa went into the half-time break trailing to Pontus Jansson’s header but Bruce’s decision to bring Lansbury and Grealish on in a double substitution changed the game.
“When you go behind at Elland Road and come back to get a point I think you take it,” he said.
“I was delighted with how we did in the second half.
“The substitutes came on and really changed things for us.
“Henri Lansbury and Jack Grealish put us on the front foot and if anybody was going to win it, it was going to be us.
“In front of what was a 30,000-strong, hostile crowd, we'll take a point and move on.”