Steve Bruce and Aston Villa meet on Saturday for the first time since he was sacked – and fans are calling on their former boss to be given a good reception.
Bruce was dismissed from Villa Park in October after a poor run of form brought a two-year spell in charge to an end.
After leading the club to the Championship play-off final last May, Villa won just once in Bruce’s final nine games in charge, with a 3-3 draw against Preston North End proving to be the final straw.
He was appointed by Sheffield Wednesday in January, taking up the manager’s job the following month after taking some time out to recuperate following a difficult year.
Bruce had two operations after leaving Villa and also had to deal with the loss of both of his parents.
And the time out has clearly worked with the 58-year-old having enjoyed a brilliant start to his reign at Hillsborough.
The Owls are undefeated in the 11 games under his stewardship, having won five and drawn six.
They sit in 11 place ahead of the weekend’s clash at home to Villa, three points outside the top six and four behind Bruce’s former employers.
Here’s what Villa fans are saying ahead of the meeting:
Aiden Bradley: Turned up to work after losing both parents and guided us to the play off final. Cracking bloke. Villa just needed to move forward and Bruce's football wasn't happening at Villa. Respect to the bloke I say.
Sean Baker: Deserves a good reception.
Phil Wattison: We should give him a great reception...respect the guy.
Nick Howlett: We treated him poorly in the end.
JD Carter: Undervalued and driven out by knee jerk supporters.
Jimmy Cobra: Nothing but respect for this man. All his personal stuff was never an excuse. Love the man to bits and will always be grateful to him for steadying the ship.
Yeoh Tze Siang: Please travelling fans, don't boo him. Congratulate him, show him we have class.
Mark Buswell: Remember he signed McGinn! What a player he has turned out to be. Bruce deserves respect!
James Richards: Great guy, turned us around. Just got stale
Micheal Knott: Still a good manager, respect earned for the way he conducted himself while grieving loss of family. But personally was he big enough a person to manage Villa, I don't think so. Wish him all the best (after next weekend).
Brian J Nutt: Greatest respect for this guy. As a player he was one of the best and nearly succeeded as a manager, but the world inside and outside of football went wrong for him at the same time. Good luck Brucie, you should always be welcome down Villa.
Daniel Witherstone: No hard feelings, he turned up at the play-off final...it was the players that failed to return the favour!
https://www.waste of paper.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fans-saying-same-16057775
