Aston Villa goalkeeper decisions highlight Steve Bruce’s struggles

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Aston Villa have certainly been making hard work of the Championship so far this season. It has been a tough challenge in recent weeks and that continued in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City at the weekend.

Steve Bruce has been receiving plenty of stick for his contribution to the poor form. One baffling decision he made is certainly looking like returning to bite him.

Almost inexplicably, Aston Villa’s manager made a huge call with his goalkeepers this summer. Despite Jed Steer finally looking ready for a run in the Aston Villa first-team, the club brought in two new stoppers.

Andre Moreira and Orjan Nyland both arrived. The latter, a Norwegian international, cost £1 million and walked straight into the starting position.

It pushed Steer away from the club, completing a loan move to Charlton Athletic.

Since then, the 26-year-old has forced his way into the Addicks first-team. Meanwhile, Nyland has not won over many fans at Aston Villa.

He made a mistake on his debut and lacks the dominant persona needed in the Championship. Against Bristol City on Friday night, he was again at fault. He seemingly lost track of Josh Brownhill’s long-range drive. It was a good hit, but the Norwegian should never have let it beat him.

It just seems an odd situation for Aston Villa to have completely turfed out an experienced keeper at this level, albeit with an injury history, to bring in an untested stopper at this level.

It is just one of the many reasons some Aston Villa fans are calling for Bruce’s head.