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Aston Villa news: Steve Bruce reveals big Jack Grealish gamble in Middlesbrough win
ASTON VILLA manager Steve Bruce has revealed he risked Jack Grealish against Middlesbrough despite the attacking midfielder struggling with a hamstring problem.
Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish came on in the 37th minute
Grealish, 22, started the 1-0 win at the Riverside Stadium on the bench but was summoned in the 37th minute when Tottenham loanee Josh Onomah limped off.
“Jack had a bit of a hamstring,” Bruce said.
“He’s just come back after being out for five months. He had a bit of a hamstring and I didn’t want to risk it because if he pulled it he’s going to be out for two months.
“I had that horrible one with a few.”
Villa were missing a host of players due to injury and illness but Robert Snodgrass’ second-half header was enough to seal all three points in Tony Pulis’ first game in charge of Middlesbrough.
Bruce said: “We've had three centre forwards missing tonight, two central midfielders, two centre-backs and two full-backs.
“And we've come up to Middlesbrough and played very well. I'm delighted.
“I hope it shuts a few people up again. It becomes very annoying being a week away from a crisis.
He had a bit of a hamstring and I didn’t want to risk it because if he pulled it he’s going to be out for two months
“We've got to stop that and get on with the job in hand – to try and take the club forward again.
“That's not easy. Middlesbrough are a very good side, who've had a new manager come in and won three on the bounce.
“They've got some really good players all over the pitch, are physically big and they ask you questions.
“We stood up to that today and played very well. That little bit of quality from Adomah and Snodgrass has got us the winner.”
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce
It was Villa’s first win in six games and the perfect response to their shambolic showing at Brentford on Boxing Day.
“Their response from the other night was vitally important,” he said. “But what I’ve witnessed is we lurch along and it takes one.
“We played badly against Brentford and all of a sudden we’re in crisis again and we have to eradicate that from the club.
“We can’t just be going along quite nicely and all of a sudden we’re in crisis. The Championship, as you’ve seen today, throws up results you wouldn’t expect. So I hope the euphoria dies down a bit to let us get on with the job in hand.”