They may have lost 3-1 at home to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night, but Aston Villa deserve promotion back to the Premier League.
That’s according to former QPR and Leeds United star Shaun Derry who has been impressed with Aston Villa in more ways than one this season.
Villa slipped nine points behind second-placed Cardiff City and that all-important automatic promotion spot when they were well beaten by Ian Holloway’s side, making the playoffs Villa’s likely path if they are to get back to the big time.
With nine games to go Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff look safe bets for the automatic route but Derry told talkSPORT Villa deserve to go up for sticking by Steve Bruce this season – their second outside the top flight.
“The great thing about the Championship is that whether you get promoted in first or through the playoffs the challenge is getting into the Premier League and that’s why the division is so competitive,” Derry told talkSPORT.
“I just think in the case Steve Bruce I’m so delighted that he was given the opportunity to stick around at Villa Park.
“I’m stood outside the stadium now and it’s a monumental football club, it’s huge and what you need is a huge manager there somebody who knows it, knows the league, knows the levels who can go and achieve for this football club.
“I was so shocked when people were calling for his head so early on in the season and it just goes to show if you stick with the right man for the right amount of time and you get your rewards.”
It has been some turnaround for Bruce who was odds on to be dismissed from his post earlier this season.
His previous spell as manager of Villa’s bitter rivals Birmingham added an element of pressure during the hard times but Villa’s improved form could yet land them plenty more good times.
Villa face a winnable run of games against Bolton, Hull, Reading and Norwich before facing Cardiff in a potential six-pointer.
Whatever happens in the run-in one team Bruce’s side will want to avoid in the playoffs is Fulham, who are looking better with every game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
