Villa manager Bruce rounds on own players after defeat

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City vs Aston Villa - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 7, 2018 Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce Action Images/Alan Walter

(Reuters) - Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce accused his players of letting themselves and the supporters down after a limp 3-1 defeat to Norwich City effectively ended their hopes of automatic promotion from the second-tier Championship.

Winger Josh Murphy's curling 25-yard strike was the highlight for Norwich as fourth-placed Villa succumbed to their third defeat in five games to remain seven points behind second-placed Cardiff City, who have a game in hand.