Stuart Pearce says that Steve Bruce will get Aston Villa promoted back to the Premier League, but there’s a catch.
Stuart Pearce has explained to Sky Sports his confidence that Steve Bruce will take Aston Villa back to the Premier League.
However, the former Nottingham Forest boss has warned it might take a couple of seasons for Bruce to accomplish that goal.
Villa have had seven managers in as many years, but Pearce has pleaded patience from the bosses at Villa Park.
“They are starting to win now, not playing great but they are starting to win,” Pearce told Sky Sports.
“Never, ever doubt Steve Bruce. He’s got such a great CV, both in this league and the league above, and however long it will take him, if you’re patient, he will get Villa into the Premier League whether it be this season, next season or the year after.
“I personally would say ‘let’s be patient, this fella will get us and this squad into the Premier League’.”
Bruce took over from Roberto Di Matteo in October 2016 but could only lead Villa to 13th in the Championship.
After a slow start this season, in which the Villans won only one of their first seven league games, the West Midlands giants have recovered to put themselves in the promotion pack.
Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham was a fourth win out of five and lifted Villa to fifth in the table.
Bruce has won more Championship promotions (4) than any other manager.
While Pearce has suggested that Villa may have to wait to return to the Premier League, Bruce achieved promotion in his first full seasons at Birmingham City and Hull City, so Villa wouldn’t be unrealistic to dream of top-flight football again in 2018-19.
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