Press Conference Confidential: Steve Bruce defends Joe Willock decision - and his players in Villa loss

Thoughts on the game - and the game-changing VAR decisions...

“Neither goalkeeper made a save really. The fine margins in the Premier League and I thought big decisions went against us.

“The offside decision, all of a sudden I didn’t think we were looking at lines anymore, lines from armpits and all this. You know, the penalty, the second goal - how Jamaal Lascelles [has handballed], his foot is above his head and if you’re foot is above your head to try and block a ball you’ve got to put your arm up.

“I feel disappointed with VAR because that’s three big decisions in the last week which have ultimately, in these fine balanced games, proved costly.

“I thought we were on the side of the attacker with it being clear and obvious but he’s offside by what, a toe again?

“If that’s not those lines joining then I don’t know what is. I’m really frustrated that big decision and the penalty went against us because nobody in the ground knew about [the penalty] so to go back to that we feel aggrieved.

“Those are key decisions that could have gone either way.

“We gave as good as we got in my opinion and had a real opportunity to go 1-0 up.

“There are lots of things to be encouraged by but we haven’t got that vital bit of luck which you need.”

Was Joe Willock fit enough to start (after just 48 pre-season minutes)?

“Why was it a surprise? When is he going to play minutes? He’s a fit lad who has trained all summer, he hasn’t played nearly enough minutes but I never thought I was at risk with him because of the fitness levels Joe has got.”

Is the next week - with Burnley and Southampton to come - particularly important?

“Every week is important in the Premier League.

“I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve seen [at Aston Villa], I really have. We gave as good as we got against Aston Villa and I can’t remember Freddie (Woodman) making a save and we’ve lost for me on big key decisions and to a long throw-in which is disappointing but lots of encouraging things to work on.”