Blackburn vs Aston Villa: Steve Bruce needs reaction after humbling defeats

Tomorrow evening’s game at Blackburn begins one of the more pivotal weeks since he first walked through the doors of Villa Park nearly two years ago.

Rocked back on to the ropes by a dreadful five days which saw his team lose at both Burton and Sheffield United prior to the international break, Bruce knows there is little time to waste in getting a season which has of late stagnated moving in the right direction again.

The 4-1 defeat Bramall Lane which signed off the first month of the season was the heaviest he has ever experienced in the Championship and the timing also particularly ghastly.

New chief executive Christian Purslow, appointed barely 24 hours previously, watched from the stands. Bruce, meanwhile, has had nearly two weeks to reflect and stew, while several key players have spent time away from the club on international duty.

What lies ahead of him now is the kind of week which can make-or-break a Championship campaign.

Win at Ewood Park tomorrow and the smart money would be on Villa rolling into further positive results in back-to-back home games against Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday.

Lose, however, and the pressure will be further ramped up ahead of the Millers’ visit on Tuesday. Not even a draw will be enough to ease it should Villa perform poorly.

The good news is that, with Tammy Abraham looking sharp and Yannick Bolasie also hopefully ready, Bruce will have more options at his disposal for tomorrow’s game than at any other point this season so far.

Additional choices on the wing, where Jonathan Kodjia is also a candidate should Abraham be preferred through the middle, may also lead to a change in the back, with Ahmed Elmohamady reverting to the more familiar position of right-back and Axel Tuanzebe, in turn, replacing Mile Jedinak in the centre.

Sorting out a defence which has conceded 11 goals in just six league games remains Bruce’s biggest headache and it will be difficult to justify retaining Jedinak alongside James Chester, considering the Australian’s recent struggles.

Blackburn sit 13th, one place behind Villa in the table on goal difference. Just like Bruce, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray saw his team’s opening month finish with a 4-1 defeat, on this occasion at Bristol City.

Former Baggies boss Mowbray is also demanding a reaction and is boosted by the return by a number of his first-choice stars – not least playmaker Bradley Dack.

Dack was hands-down the best player in League One last season and the 24-year-old was subject of a reported £7million bid from Albion this summer.

Defender Derrick Williams returned to the Rovers squad before the international break and Bristol City and is in line for a first start since the season’s opening day after a foot problem.

Charlie Mulgrew is back from international duty with Scotland with no problems.