Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw away at Bristol City on Saturday leaves Steve Bruce’s side 15th in the Championship table.
Aston Villa owners Naseef Sawiris and Wes Edens decided to stick with Steve Bruce this summer despite so much talk suggesting that the experienced manager would be given the boot.
But surely Sawiris and Edens have a decision to make again soon. Bruce is arguably under more pressure than ever before at Villa Park with Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Bristol City meaning that the Midland giants are now nine games without a win in all competitions.
According to The Sun (30 September, page 59), Aston Villa have identified Brentford boss Dean Smith as their top target should they decide to swing the axe on Bruce.
But, speaking on EFL on Quest (29 September, 9pm), Ian Holloway has warned Villa against sacking a man who has won promotion from the Championship four times with Birmingham and Hull City.
“I think Steve more or less told us a few weeks ago – when the turmoil hit the club and they couldn’t pay the wages, then the owners took over,” the former QPR and Millwall manager said.
“It was probably too late [in the window] for Steve, so he had to build late and I think you can see that. He’s an experienced manager. They might not be where they want to be, but he’ll get you there.”
Many Villa fans may disagree with Holloway’s assessment that Bruce will ‘get them there’ in the end. Aston Villa had one of the Championship’s most experienced and costly squads last season but fell at the final hurdle, losing to Fulham in the play-off final.
Villa are currently 15th in the table but, remarkably, just two points off the top six.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
