Bruce defends Taylor

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has defended Neil Taylor after FIFA open proceedings against him for his tackle on Republic of Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman.

Taylor was sent off in the second half of Friday's 0-0 draw between the Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium for a horror challenge that left Coleman with a double-leg fracture.

The red card carries an automatic one-game suspension, but Taylor could be handed an extended ban by FIFA with the sport's governing body investigating the incident.

Taylor, who is understood to have tried to contract Coleman, is expected to feature for his club against Norwich on Saturday and Bruce has backed him to come good.

"He's never going to forget about it but he's got to try and get on with it. He's naturally saddened because it's certainly not Neil Taylor. He's recovered from a serious injury himself so he knows what it is," Bruce told his pre-match press conference.

"He's very disappointed with what's happened, it's saddened him as it's saddened all of us. He's just got to knuckle down and get on with it.

"He was reckless, he understands that. He hesitated and was in two minds whether he should go for the challenge but he's caught him. It's part and parcel, we see it every week and players get injured, although none of us want to see it.

"One of the great players in the world (Gareth Bale) could have had a red card one minute before it but thankfully it wasn't as bad on John O'Shea." 

Leinster's European Champions Cup quarter-final against Wasps on Saturday is live on BT Sport 2, which is available as part of the eir Sport pack.