Leeds host Aston Villa in the Championship this weekend.
Garry Monk has explained to BBC Radio Leeds that when he heard that Aston Villa had appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager, he would be the catalyst for their upturn in form.
Following their relegation from the Premier League, the arrival of a new owner and the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo gave the Villans supporters plenty of confidence about their chances of bouncing straight back.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
However, Di Matteo’s tenure failed to capture the imagination as he only oversaw one victory before he was dismissed. But under Bruce, their chances of moving into the promotion picture have looked a lot brighter.
Villa are unbeaten in the seven games he has been in charge for. And ahead of this weekend’s clash against Leeds United, Monk has suggested that the Midlands side’s recent form has come as no surprise to him.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
“I knew when he was appointed, I thought, no detriment to the manager before but I knew with Steve Bruce, his experience would get Aston Villa going,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“It’s a mammoth club, they’ve just come down from the Premier League.”
What will undoubtedly give Villa a huge amount of confidence going into the clash with high-flying Leeds is the fact their unbeaten run has been put together despite several of the sides they have come up against being above them in the table.
They have come out of their games with Reading, Birmingham and Brighton – three of the four teams that sit above the Whites in the table – with five points, so will surely go into Saturday evening’s fixture with little fear.
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