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Steve Bruce hints he’d like to stay with Aston Villa for at least four years

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce looks on with Gary Walsh and Stephen Clemence (right) during the Pre-Season Friendly between AFC Telford United and...
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Steve Bruce has endured a mixed time since being appointed Aston Villa boss last year.

Manager of Aston Villa Steve Bruce during the pre season friendly match between Aston Villa and Watford  at Villa Park on July 29, 2017 in Birmingham, England.

Steve Bruce has suggested that Aston Villa need the continuity of a manager staying in charge for up to four years, and that he would like to be the man to fill that role, the Express and Star reports.

Bruce has endured a difficult time since being appointed as Roberto Di Matteo’s replacement last year. His first season offered some reason for optimism as the Villans went on a run of seven wins in eight, conceding just once along the way before falling away in the final weeks of the campaign.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Telford, England.

This term however, has not gone to plan for the former Hull boss, with the side going into their clash with Barnsley boasting just one Championship win in their opening seven games.

A 3-0 win over the Tykes alleviated a lot of the pressure on Bruce, and after the victory, he insisted that giving a manager time will be important.

Villa manager Steve Bruce reacts after a near miss during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on September 12, 2017 in Birmingham, England.

“Whether it’s me or another manager, someone’s got to run the club for the next three or four years. Whether that’s myself, I hope it is because that’s what it needs, for sure,” he said, as reported by the Express and Star.

“It doesn’t need continual change, because then you get no continuity and that doesn’t help anyone. As I keep saying, I’ve done it before so I’m sure I can do it again.”

Of course, Bruce has a very good record in the Championship and has not been able to spend the kind of money that Di Matteo was given during his one window at the club, so perhaps Bruce does deserve more time.

If the weekend win proves to be a turning point for Villa and they go on a run that puts them in promotion contention, having someone with Bruce’s experience in charge will surely be beneficial to their chances of capitalising and securing a top six spot.