Steve Bruce spoke to the media following the 2-1 defeat to Reading.
His views in full are below.
On the game itself…
Of course we are disappointed with the result.
In the game itself, the first goal of the game, which is always a defining moment in any match, we can feel harshly done-by.
It was a horrible deflection, looped in over the top and went in off the post – then you’re 1-0 down and we haven’t really seen that coming.
We have come here, with the way they play with really good possession, and unfortunately we have had a big chance in the first five minutes and not been able to take it.
That’s happened in our opening three games of the season – and every mistake has been punished.
So we are disappointed but we are where we are – we have to accept it.
We had the hype and now it’s doom and gloom. We have to stay with it.
There’s a long way to go.
Newcastle lost their opening two games last season and went on to be successful.
So we have to turn it around and turn it around quickly.
On Andre Green’s early chance…
They are big chances and we have probably missed seven one-on-ones so far.
When you come away from home too, they are vital.
We have had some really good chances late on as well.
But unfortunately we haven’t been able to take them and that always put you under a little bit of pressure.
Yes they have had decent possession but they’ve never really troubled our goalkeeper.
On changes to the line-up…
It was good to see Ritchie De Laet back out there on the pitch.
He’s been out for about 11 months.
He’s done everything in pre-season and I thought he was ready for the game. I thought he did okay.
But whoever came in, we lost – and we have to accept that.
We have to move on and hopefully get a better result on Saturday.
On being back at Villa Park this weekend…
Our home form last season was decent.
Whoever we had it’s going to be a tough and big game because unfortunately we have got off to a poor start in terms of results.
But I have seen enough tonight. We could have gone under but we didn’t.
We showed a bit of fight and a bit of determination to get back into the game – and nearly managed it.
We need to take the chances. We need to be more clinical and better in the final third.
On injuries…
Elmo has 30 stitches in his lip so we will see how he is.
I would think big Mile will be the week after but we will see how he is.
Let’s not forget we are without arguably our best two players of last season – Jedinak and Kodjia.
At the moment we need them and we need them back fit.
We haven’t got them at the moment so we will have to battle on as best we can.
On Scott Hogan coming off…
I think he’s tweaked his ankle.
I think he’s got a problem with his ankle again. It’s disappointing.
