Steve Bruce: 'Aston Villa players let themselves down'

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has said that his players "let themselves down" after the team fell to a 3-1 defeat to Norwich City on Saturday.

The Canaries went two goals in front through strikes from Josh Murphy and Dennis Srbeny, before a Jack Grealish goal for Villa was cancelled out by James Maddison's strike.

Bruce, speaking to reporters after the game, said that the club's latest result, a third defeat in five, was "disappointing".

"We didn't do enough," the 57-year-old said. "Supporters get up at five or six o'clock to support their team. The supporters have been brilliant, they have sold out everywhere they go. "You always feel you have let them down. But I think the players have let themselves down and the team. We've squandered a good opportunity and that's when it becomes disappointing and frustrating.

"It isn't over, certainly not with five games left and six for others. But the last few games we have found ourselves wanting."

Villa are now eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places, having played a game more than second-placed Cardiff City.