Aston Villa are currently in 15th place in the Championship table.
Dwight Yorke has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 5th December, that he still believes Aston Villa will finish near the play offs.
Villa lost for the first time since Bruce was appointed against Leeds United at Elland Road, which was a big blow.
The Midlands side had built up some momentum over recent weeks, with a series of encouraging results.
However, they were unable to get past an in-form Leeds side, and fell to a 2-0 defeat in Yorkshire.
Villa are now six points away from the play off positions, and stuck down in 15th place in the Championship table.
But Yorke still feels that his former side will have what it takes to challenge for promotion come May.
“It’s difficult to criticise Bruce,” Yorke said. “He’s gone in there and got some real good results, although there’s a lot of draws and not enough wins.
“The result against Leeds will be something he is disappointing about, but when you look back – Villa couldn’t win a game for a long period of time and he’s given them some hope. I’m sure they will be very close to the play offs.”
Villa are next in action at the weekend, when they take on relegation threatened Wigan Athletic.
If Bruce’s side can get the victory, they could move up into the top half of the Championship table.
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