Steve Bruce has taken over from Roberto Di Matteo at Aston Villa.
Paul Merson has told Sky Sports News, which was broadcast on 14th October, that Aston Villa could still make the play offs this season.
Villa have begun the new campaign in awful form, and they have picked up just one victory from their first 11 Championship matches.
The claret and blues are currently stuck in 19th place in the table, but Merson feels that they have reason for optimism after the appointment of Steve Bruce.
“I’m a massive fan of Bruce. I just hope the fans give him a chance,” Merson said. “If he can just change draws into wins they will fly up the league. Don’t be surprised if Villa make the play offs under Steve Bruce.”
Bruce has taken over from Roberto Di Matteo at Villa, and he inherits a squad which is packed with talent.
Villa invested heavily over the summer, and they now have a strike force which is the envy of most squads in the second tier.
Bruce will need to install a winning mentality in to Villa’s players, though, as they have now won just four league matches since the start of last season.
Bruce’s first match in charge of Villa comes this weekend, when his side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
