Former West Ham United, Manchester United and Everton manager David Moyes has hit back at the criticism received by Steve Bruce before and after his sacking as Aston Villa manager, report the Telegraph. 

He criticised the desire to move on ageing managers who are perceived as not modern enough for today's game and singled out Bruce for praise.

"There is always a rush to move them on," he said.

"I look at some of the managers who are being criticised, people like Jose Mourinho, Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce and Rafa Benitez and I’d say they are up there with the very best.

"We see this happening to managers all the time when they get to a certain age."

Bruce was sacked after winning just three times in their opening 11 matches of the season and just one in nine matches after back-to-back wins to start the season.

A 3-3 draw at home to Preston North End in which Villa threw away a 2-0 lead was the final nail in the coffin with Bruce receiving the sack the following afternoon.

Dean Smith has since taken over the reigns at Villa Park with former defender John Terry joining his backroom staff along with long-time assistant Richard O'Kelly.

The former Brentford boss will face Swansea City on Saturday in his first match in charge of the club.

The verdict 

I disagree with Moyes here.

In Bruce's case, in particular, the criticism was certainly warranted even if the actual sacking itself was perhaps a tad harsh in the circumstances of the summer.

But the atmosphere had turned sour at Villa Park and change needed to happen. Bruce could walk into a job right now if he wanted too so I do not think it is as much as a problem as Moyes is suggesting.