Burton Albion are set to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Boxing Day.
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough has told the Birmingham Mail that he doesn’t believe Aston Villa will be promoted this season.
Villa are currently in 13th place in the Championship table – six points back from the play off places.
The Villans have improved under Steve Bruce, but Clough doubts that the Midlands side will be able to climb back into promotion contention.
“When a club is in decline as they’ve been and losing games for a period of time – we’re not talking a few months this season, we’re talking last season and maybe a bit before then – it takes some turning around,” Clough said.
“You’ve got to stem the flow of defeats, which he’s done – came in and a great start – and then you start building from there.
“It’s still very early days for him and it will take maybe another 18 months before they’re challenging.”
Villa are set to face Clough’s Burton side on Boxing Day, in what is a sell out game at Villa Park.
Bruce’s men are the favourites to pick up the three points, against a Burton side who are struggling against the drop.
Clough’s men are currently in 21st position in the Championship standings, and they have found things difficult on their travels.
Villa could move up into the top half of the second tier standings if they are able to get the victory on Boxing Day, which would highlight the progress that they have made under Bruce’s stewardship.
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