Express & Star

Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa: Steve Bruce searches for spark to fire his side

Having sped into the Championship’s top two, Villa suddenly find themselves playing catch-up again.

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One point in the space of four days from fixtures against Fulham and Preston is all that was needed to transform the promotion picture.

Villa now trail Cardiff by four points, a deficit which remains a long way from decisive when there are 13 games remaining and the key protagonists in the race for second place all still have to play each other.

Yet there can be no hiding the need for Villa to end what has been a tricky week on a positive note at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow, ensuring the confidence built during the seven-game winning streak which put them firmly in contention does not start to be eroded.

We are fast approaching the stage of the season which boss Steve Bruce refers to as “the tickly bit” but already it was possible to feel the tension around Villa Park on Tuesday night as the home team laboured to a 1-1 draw against Preston.

“I always knew it was going to be a difficult week,” said Bruce. “Going away to Fulham, then at home to Preston and away at Sheffield Wednesday.

“That is what the Championship throws up. On Tuesday there was a bit of resilience in the second half and that was encouraging.”

Once more uppermost in Bruce’s mind is finding a formula which works without injured duo Albert Adomah and Jack Grealish.

The manager tried without success against both Fulham and Preston, with Villa looking particularly disjointed against the Lilywhites before Bruce effectively threw caution to the wind with the second-half introductions of Keinan Davis and Lewis Grabban.

The latter stands a strong chance of being handed his full Villa debut at Hillsborough and could be the solution to the problem of who replaced Adomah on the left wing.

Robert Snodgrass, Josh Onomah and Birkir Bjarnason have all been used as replacements over the last two games but none has been particularly effective.

Bruce can take some solace in the fact his dilemma pales in comparison with the issues faced by opposite number Jos Luhukay, who is again set to be without a host of key players, including former Villa midfielder Barry Bannan.

Wednesday have won only once in the Championship since Luhukay took charge at the start of last month, while some of the Dutchman’s team selections have raised eyebrows, most notably his decision to field an XI without a recognised striker for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall.

But Luhukay has vowed to keep tinkering with to try to find the right blend. He said: “I must protect my players. We play a lot of games and it is not possible for players to be at 100 per cent in every one.

“We see the players everyday and their physical situation, we must handle the situation we have.”

One-time Villa target Jordan Rhodes is available for the hosts after recovering from illness.