If Aston Villa harbour realistic goals of reaching the play-offs, the next few games will be huge for them.
Following the loss at the hands of Norwich City, it seems as if the honeymoon period is over for Steve Bruce. That sense of unknown surrounding the early stages of his tenure is gone, and Aston Villa now need to prepare themselves for what is sure to be a hectic festive period in the Championship.
Whilst most people already know what it is they need to improve upon, the thing that fans and the team themselves need to focus on is their next few opponents. In the space of 11 days Villa will travel to QPR before hosting both Burton and Leeds at Villa Park.
New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce during the press conference
The first of those three should be considered the easiest, however you never know given the unpredictability of this league. QPR boss Ian Holloway has been vocal in his criticism of the Midlands side in the past, so hopefully Villa will be able to keep emotion out of the equation and secure the three points.
The double header at Villa Park is where they will really be tested, with the Leeds game in particular coming less than a month after the return fixture at Elland Road. If Villa are serious about their play-off push, a realistic goal of seven points out of nine heading into the new year should be considered achievable.
Only then will momentum and confidence really start to swell at the famous Midlands side.
Aston Villa fans
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