Aston Villa

Steve Bruce: 'Mass hysteria comments aimed at social media'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 25 September 2017

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce reveals that his claims of 'mass hysteria' within the club are aimed at social media following the side's recent upturn in form.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has revealed that claims that he made 10 days ago of "mass hysteria" within the club were aimed at social media rather than his side's owners.

Former Hull City manager Bruce is the seventh manager of the club in as many years and stated last week that a poor run of form at the club can create uncertainty.

Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 2-1 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches, after also picking up wins over Barnsley and Norwich City in that period.

"I have to put this right. When I mention the phrase 'mass hysteria', I meant on social media," Bruce told the Birmingham Mail.

"The supporters have been nothing but fantastic towards me since I arrived here.

"There's a few shouting at me [in the seats behind me] as to what I should do. But the majority have been right behind me, and that's all I'm interested in.

"All these people on social media and media platforms - there were 30,000 people out there helping the team get over the line on Saturday. There was no negativity. They've been like that since I walked in the place. But I'm under no illusions, if we lose the next two then they'll circle again."

Villa travel to Burton Albion on Tuesday night before hosting the Championship's bottom club Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.