Steve Bruce sack was 'premature' - Steve Sidwell and Craig Bellamy | OneFootball

Bruce took Aston Villa 90 minutes away from promotion last season, losing to Fulham in the play-off final.

After a tumultuous off-season with financial hardship and ownership changes, Bruce was given the boot despite losing just twice in 11 league matches this season.

Steve Sidwell leapt to Bruce’s defence and claimed he wasn’t given enough time to adjust to all the recent changes.

“In the summer, the infrastructure wasn’t there, there was the news about Thierry Henry possibly coming in, the transfers and no one really knew what was going on with the club,” Sidwell told Sky Sports.

“It filtered onto the pitch, which then showed itself in how they were playing. No one really knew how they were playing. There was no identity, which is what you need at a football club, especially a club of that size.

“I think it’s a bit premature. If you want someone to get you out of that league, he’s got the pedigree. He’s done it four times, and with his man management and the players they have there I think they would have turned it around.”

Craig Bellamy admitted Villa hadn’t been good enough given the quality of their squad, however, pointed to Bruce’s four promotions as proof that he’s still the best man for the job.

“The bottom line is results. A week in the Championship is nine points – you can go on a run in this league, he could have turned it round.

“A lot of his teams have improved late in the past, even Villa last season. I think they would’ve been there or thereabouts.

“I quite like their squad, it’s one of the best in the Championship, and if you’re an owner who’s not sure of your manager, you’re looking at your squad and the run you’re going on, it hasn’t been good enough.

“But I think they’ve made a mistake, he’s the man you’d want to take you up.”