Gary Gardner's luck pays off with Aston Villa performance

The starting line-up for Tuesday's 2-1 win at Reading featured five changes from the team which began last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolves – new boss Bruce's first game in charge.

It included a recall for Gary Gardner, a player who had not even made the 18-man squad on Saturday. The 24-year-old midfielder was one of the brightest performers at the Madejski Stadium as Villa recorded a maiden victory under the new manager and their first away from home in more than 14 months.

And Bruce explained: "I had to say to Gary that at the moment I'm just picking balls out of a hat.

"I wanted to have a look at a few people. Gary wasn't involved on Saturday but we had a couple of injuries and he came back in. He put in a terrific performance. He was excellent."

The manager continued: "I've only had four training sessions. It's fair to say within a week I think they understand what I want. I've made that pretty obvious.

"Let's hope the win on Tuesday night is the first of a few."

Victory at Reading, which came courtesy of substitute Jordan Ayew's last-minute penalty, ended an away day hoodoo which had stretched back to August 2015, when Tim Sherwood was still manager.

Despite Bruce's limited time working with the squad, Villa appeared more committed and better organised than at any other time this season. And while eager not to get too carried away, the new boss believes his core message is getting through to the players – who were cheered off by more than 4,000 travelling fans.

"It's pretty obvious, to play for me you have to show fight or else you don't play," said Bruce. "They got that message loud and clear. I asked for one thing – I made it through sheer hard work and determination. I made the best out of hard work and determination.

"It's amazing what the supporters can forgive as long as they see hard work. They can forgive a defeat if their team plays with heart.

"We can talk about tactics and this and that but the main thing is when you put your boots on, go and show your supporters who back you."

Bruce also had words of comfort for left-back Aly Cissokho who for the second game running gave away a penalty. The left-back's mistimed challenge on Garath McCleary early in the second half offered the Royals, who trailed to Jonathan Kodjia's first-half strike, a route back into the game.

Though Villa keeper Pierluigi Gollini saved Danny Williams' spot-kick, Yann Kermorgant tucked in the rebound and it looked enough to earn the hosts a point before Ayew's late winner.

Cissokho had been penalised for a handball in Saturday's derby which allowed Helder Costa to equalise for Wolves from the spot.

Bruce said: "It's unfortunate, the one thing about Aly is he gives you everything he's got. He doesn't hide or shirk.

"He was a little bit rash with the challenge, I have to say. On Saturday he was doing his best to get his body in the road and it struck him in the arm, it could have struck him in the face. He is trying to defend his goal and that gets no complaints from me."

Skipper Tommy Elphick and fellow defender Micah Richards are, meanwhile, both expected to miss Saturday's game at Fulham. Neither featured at Reading after picking up calf injuries against Wolves and Bruce said: "I can't see them being involved.

"They have both picked up calf injuries – you'd think two or three weeks."