Steve Bruce tells Aston Villa: Seize this chance to escape the Championship
Steve Bruce has urged Villa to seize their chance to escape the Championship as they aim to book a Wembley play-off final date on Tuesday night.
Villa hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their semi-final against Middlesbrough.
A 42,000-strong sell-out crowd will descend on Villa Park, the vast majority hoping to see the hosts take another big step back toward the Premier League.
Bruce, already a four-time promotion winner, is all too aware of the importance of regaining top flight status for the club’s future.
The manager has been forced to work on a restricted budget this term and knows his task will only become harder should Villa miss out.
“It is huge,” he said. “I don’t want to put pressure on anyone but a club like ours needs to be playing in the big league and the longer you are out of it, the more difficult it becomes.
“We have seen other big clubs get stuck in the Championship. It is not easy. It hasn’t been easy to get this far.
“Can we grasp it? Can we grasp this semi-final and then go and enjoy a big day out at Wembley, where it doesn’t get any better if you win? For the club going forward, it is crucial.”
Bruce has again urged his players to enjoy the moment in what is the first play-off fixture ever to be staged at Villa Park.
“They (the fans) have never experienced it. They will experience tonight,” he said.
“Our support is remarkable. We could have sold the ground twice over with the demand. Even I can’t get tickets! You can’t get a ticket for love nor money.”
