Steve Bruce admits Aston Villa can't spend their way out of trouble this year: "I haven't got millions"
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Steve Bruce admits he can’t spend his way out of trouble despite Aston Villa’s stuttering start.
Promotion favourites Villa were brought crashing down to earth by Cardiff in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat.
It followed up an opening-day draw to Hull that already leaves them five points off the pace.
That has turned up the heat on Bruce heading into tonight’s trip to last season’s beaten play-off finalists Reading.
But, having spent over £20m to bring in seven new faces in his first window in January on top of £60m last summer, owner Dr Tony Xia has tightened the purse strings this summer.
(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Ahmed Elmohamady and Glenn Whelan have arrived for £1million apiece, John Terry and Chris Samba have joined on frees – though the former Chelsea man is on around £60,000 a week – while Sam Johnstone and Josh Onomah are on loan.
Bruce expects to do further business before the window shuts having raised funds by selling Leandro Bacuna to tonight’s opponents and loaned Jordan Amavi to Marseille ahead of a potential permanent switch next summer.
But there is no prospect of Villa spending eight-figure sums as they did for Jonathan Kodjia and Ross McCormack last summer.
(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
The boss said: “I’ve said it since the end of last season. I’m going to have to box a bit clever.
“I haven’t got millions to splash about and, let’s be fair, this club has splashed around millions in the last few years and it hasn’t brought the success everyone thought there was going to be.
“If there’s anything in the kitty from what has been done the last few days then my job is always to try to improve the squad.
“But I’m under the restrictions of FFP. We haven’t got millions and millions to spend. Part of my job is to balance the books and obviously I’m prepared to do that.”
(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Bruce let rip at his side following their dismal opening attempt on the road on Saturday.
Their away form cost them any hope of promotion last season after they won just four times in the league away, losing 13 times – as opposed to losing just three times at Villa Park.
Bruce’s team eventually finished 13th and, booed by their fans against the Bluebirds, he will know patience is wearing thin.
He says another “big challenge” awaits tonight despite the Royals being a “complete opposite” in the style of football they play to their last opponents.
“If we want to be successful and mount a challenge our away form has to improve,” added Bruce.
“Too often last year we didn’t have the resilience to make a fist of it.”