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Tony Xia comments on Steve Bruce’s future; will Aston Villa fans be happy?

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce (REUTERS)
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Aston Villa are bottom of the form table but Tony Xia is not willing to put any extra pressure on Steve Bruce.

Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has taken to Twitter to rubbish suggestions that Steve Bruce’s job is under pressure – though the patience of many supporters is starting to wear thin.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest means Villa have now lost four of their last five Championship games. In fact, it’s a testament to the length of their winless run that Ross McCormack netted the decisive goal the last time Villa claimed three points in the league.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce

Consequently, a section of the supporters have begun to turn on Bruce who, despite his promotion specialist tag, has been unable to maintain a bright start to life on the claret and blue side of the Midlands with Villa slipping 13 points adrift of the play-offs.

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However, Xia has emphatically brought an end to reports that Bruce could be the second manager to suffer the axe this season after Roberto Di Matteo was unceremoniously dumped in October.

New owner Dr Tony Xia during the press conference

Broken promises? Aston Villa fans react as Tony Xia plays down expectations

Nonetheless, the form guide doesn’t exactly work in Bruce’s favour. Over the last six games, no side has collected fewer points than Aston Villa with the 56-year-old’s perceived negativity becoming a cause of consternation among a fragmented fanbase.

After spending huge sums on much-needed reinforcements in January, excuses can only go so far.