Steve Bruce labels Aston Villa performance as the best he's seen despite result
Steve Bruce hailed Villa's performance against Preston as the best of his reign to date despite them blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.
Two first-half goals from Albert Adomah had seemingly put Villa on course for a first victory of 2017.
But Jordan Hugill then struck twice the second half as the Lilywhites staged an impressive comeback to claim a 2-2 draw which leaves Villa nine points adrift of the Championship top six.
Bruce, while clearly frustrated at the second half collapse, took heart in an encouraging attacking display and impressive debut from midfielder Henri Lansbury.
"That was easily the best we've played since I've been here," he said. "We've had four or five opportunities to make it three and we don't.
"That horrible Achilles heel that we've got of giving away a silly goal has cost us We've given away two poor goals.
"The light at the end of the tunnel for me is that it was easily the best we have played.
"There looked to be some continuity in our play, we passed it well and we created chances.
"It's just a shame we didn't get the victory that we all wanted."
Lansbury became Villa's second signing of the January transfer window when he joined in a £3million move from Nottingham Forest on Friday.
The 26-year-old went straight into the starting XI and Bruce took plenty of encouragement from his display.
"When he tired our problems started again," he said. "The influence he had changed a little bit because he hasn't played for six or seven weeks.
"He had a wonderful debut the kid. He played very well and so did Andre Green.
"He could have capped it off with a goal, he would have remembered that for the rest of his days.
"The kid recovered from it and played well."
