Steve Bruce is under pressure to deliver Aston Villa back to the Premier League next season, here we predict the club’s first five games.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
After relegation last year Villa were hoping to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking but ended up finishing in midtable.
Ambitious new owner Tony Xia is desperate to see the club where he feels it belongs.
And he looks set to invest in the players to help Bruce achieve that dream with the club linked with the likes of John Terry this summer.
The fixtures were released last week and Bruce knows a major improvement is needed if Villa are to mount a serious promotion challenge.
To that end a good start is crucial, here we predict the club’s first five games.
Hull City’s Oumar Niasse looks dejected
Villa vs Hull City
The club kick off the season with a home game against Bruce’s former club Hull City who have just been relegated themselves.
Hull are in a bit of disarray after the departure of Marco Silva and several players so this looks a good opening match for Villa.
Prediction: Villa win
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock
Cardiff City vs Villa
Cardiff finished one place above Villa last season so it could be argued there is not much between the sides.
The Blues can be a force at home but should Villa strengthen as expected, Bruce’s side should be going to places like Cardiff and coming away with a result.
The first goal is crucial in these early season games and this one could go either way.
Prediction: Draw
Reading manager Jaap Stam
Reading vs Villa
This will be a real test of Villa’s hopes for the season against Jaap Stam’s side who made it to the play-offs last season but were beaten on penalties by Huddersfield.
Th Royals should be a yardstick for Villa in terms of where they need to be if they want to challenge at the top end of the Championship.
But how does Stam motivate his players to push again with the heartbreak of last season still lingering?
A win here would really set Villa’s stall out for the season and make people sit up and take notice.
Prediction: Villa win
Villa’s Mile Jedinak in action with Norwich’s Steven Naismith back in April
Villa vs Norwich City
Historically this would be a home banker every time. But Norwich are unpredictable opposition at Championship level.
A lot could hinge on the summer business done by the Canaries but I expect Villa to be a real force at home this season and that should see them home.
Prediction: Villa win
Former Villa striker Jordan Ayew in action during last season’s defeat at Bristol City
Bristol City vs Villa
Bristol just about survived last season by the skin of their teeth and it will be another grind for the club in the ever competitive Championship.
If Villa are serious about promotion this is a must win.
The Robins played Villa in game week five last season too and actually triumphed 3-1.
But that was against a Villa team in disarray following their demotion and it should be a different story this time around.
Prediction: Villa win
Total: 13 points from a possible 15 puts Villa on course for a serious promotion bid, whether they maintain it in this tough division time will only tell.
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