striker

Going to wait until they score before making the required change.

Don’t think anyone thought this was going to be a classic in the footballing sense but I can’t help thinking on the evidence of that first half performance Bruce is again paying too much respect to the opposition who have been generally poor. I’d sacrifice a midfielder and put Davis on with Kodjia playing off him and filling in midfield when Birmingham have the ball.

Villa showing nothing in the last third. Need to show a bit more composure.

Must be hung like a racehorse as well then. Good luck to the Villa.

Arguably one of the worst Birmingham sides Villa have faced in recent times so no excuses for sitting back and playing on the break but I feel Bruce will do exactly that. Irrespective of how Villa set up I still think Villa will win comfortably but it would be great to see Villa paying the opposition less respect and putting Birmingham to the sword.

Can't say i've enjoyed watching Villa under Bruce (didn't see the Fulham game as away on holiday) but I do remember someone on site posting that Bruce gained his other promotions while being at those clubs for a season and a half or more. So the closer he is getting to that milestone (not sure exactly how long he's been at Villa) the results are improving and it is results and points that will get Villa promoted rather than just performances. I'm still not warming to him though as I didn't like a lot of things he said and where blame was placed for poor form but I could stomach it if he gets Villa promoted.

In my opinion Lyden would do no worse than Whelan and would give Villa more energy in midfield. Can't understand why Bruce won't play him when you consider how the other kids have done.

The point is they shouldn’t be, not with the money spent and their manager spending a lot less time with his players than Bruce with Villa’s squad.

Just watched his press conference before the game. He hadn’t watched Wolves live. Just watched videos. I mean wtf?? You are playing one of your mooted rivals for promotion which have a new manager and a plethora of new expensive players and you don’t take the time to go and watch before you play them in a Derby? I know managers can’t go to every game but surely to goodness it’s poor preparation to rely on videos for such an important match. Bruce was found wanting and yet again exposed as a neanderthal prehistoric manager when pitted against someone more progressive yesterday and it will sadly be the same against Fulham. Its clear for everyone to see that although Bruce has been promoted four times from the Championship, football even in the lower leagues, is now evolving beyond what Steve Bruce can offer so it’s now time for a change. That doesn’t necessarily mean that with a new manager coming in it would result in another drastic turnover in players but rather a modern progressive coach being more tactically astute with the players available.

Brilliant point which just goes to show that you don’t need a lot of time for your team to gel if your manager buys the right players to fit the system you want to play.

Not under Bruce! Too static. No movement other than sideways passing until hoof into the final third and then absolutely no idea what to do with it. Any build up play was way too slow giving Wolves players ample opportunity to get back into position. This has been the case time and time again when Villa play better teams under Bruce and Villa will get spanked playing this way again against Fulham. Ruddy didn’t even have a save to make other than basic catching. Dreadful performance until O’Hare was brought on but by then Wolves were in third gear taking the piss playing keep ball and they should have won by a greater margin.

My only concern is that Wolves have a younger team which may work against Villa over the 90 minutes but I still expect Villa, at the very least, to take a point. Ultimately I feel the automatic promotional spots will be between Villa, Wolves, Leeds and Boro but there’s no need for Villa to fear any of those teams now.

Building Wolves up too much. Villa have the better players so I expect Villa to win the game.

Bruce will probably go for Hutton?

No, not literally.

I just hope Bruce doesn't get the jitters and tinker too much with the team and system. The only change should be the one that's forced upon him with De Laet coming in for Taylor. Otherwise as you were with Kodjia told to drop into midfield when Wolves have possession. Any sign of two holding midfielders being played or five at the back and Bruce will be handing the initiative to Wolves from the start that Villa are shitting their pants.

Is there some sort of penalty if Villa appeal and it's turned down?

He's pretty far away from the ball there being at knee height so it's hard to assume that tackle wasn't without some intent hence the ref wasting no time at all in showing the red. You would have thought Taylor would have learnt by now though so I guess he has a nasty streak in him which has deprived the team of their best LB with important games coming up.

High and could have broken the player's leg. Sadly a red in my book and can't see it being overturned.

If Villa lose against Wolves I'd rather they do it playing more offensive football than keeping it tight and losing late in the game. Nothing to fear though and Bruce has the better squad to choose from so don't pay them too much respect.

Yes I was one of those who thought he would struggle but for the most part he has been excellent so far. Really enjoy watching him ping the ball to a team mate even when under pressure which is a Godsend in this league.

Potential banana skin when spirits are up so it's important that Villa play with the same intensity as in their previous game. Do that and I can't see anything other than a comfy win by a two or three goal margin but it's Villa.....

Didn't think there was a keeper there at all but he has been quality so far this season.

Haha mate good one. Snodgrass was poor in his first couple of games yet there were signs that the team was already starting to improve when Bruce changed it to 4-4-2. That and not just one player for me was the catalyst to better form and results. However I would suggest waiting until Villa's fixture list pits them against better teams in the division before thinking that Villa have finally turned a corner. Remember most felt or expected to get wins on the board due to recent opposition and Bolton will be no different. It is though a very welcome sight indeed to see Villa getting points on the board and starting to climb the table while playing more attacking football. Long may that continue.

Getting the hairdryer treatment on social media hasn't done Bruce any harm has it.