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Alan Shearer lifts the lid on a lofty seal of approval for Aston Villa

Former Newcastle player Alan Shearer as he arrives for the Premier League Legends of Football charity event (REUTERS)
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Legendary Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer lifts lid on some lofty praise for the job Steve Bruce is doing at Aston Villa.

Villa have only lost once in nine games since Bruce took over in October, a run which puts the club just five points off the play-off places as we approach the halfway point of the season.

Bruce’s appointment courted a fair degree of controversy given his association with bitter rivals Birmingham City.

New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce during the press conferenceSteve Bruce

But he soon won over any doubters and has Villa Park filled with optimism again for the first time in many years.

And their most famous supporter has been impressed too, according to legendary England striker Shearer.

Speaking in his Coral blog after a visit to Buckingham Palace to receive a CBE for his charity work, Shearer revealed Prince William is a huge fan of the direction the club is heading.

Britain's Prince WilliamAston Villa fan Prince William

“All Prince William wanted to talk about was football,” Shearer told Coral.

“We chatted about Newcastle’s chances of promotion and he said Mr Bruce is doing a fine job at Aston Villa, to which I told him I’ll pass on your regards.”

The royal seal of approval comes after Villa beat another of Bruce’s former clubs, Wigan, 1-0 at the weekend.

And it will give Bruce’s side a boost as they prepare to face one of the clubs they were relegated alongside in the summer with a trip to Norwich City on Tuesday night.