Bruce takes up Villa challenge

Newly-appointed boss Steve Bruce is determined to help Aston Villa regain their position among the elite of English football.

The vastly-experienced 55-year-old takes charge at Villa Park following the recent exit of Roberto Di Matteo, with Bruce in no doubt about what the main target needs to be for him and his side.

I relish the challenge of trying to take the club where it wants to go, and needs to be.

Steve Bruce

He told his new club’s official website: “It’s a wonderful opportunity, it is one of the big clubs of this country. To be given the opportunity to manage it is terrific.

“I relish the challenge of trying to take the club where it wants to go, and needs to be, and try to turn around the misfortune we seem to have had over the past few years.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been given the chance. I hope I can do my stuff.”

The Villans have made a slower start than expected to life back in the Championship, with Di Matteo shown the door after just one win in 11 league games.

Villa are currently down in 19th place in the table, having been widely expected to be among the promotion hopefuls from the off.

Next up for the Villa Park outfit is a local derby at home to Wolves at teatime on Saturday, with the two sides having not met since the 2011/12 season.

The men from Molineux are unbeaten on their last three visits to Villa Park, claiming a goalless draw in August 2011 when the teams last met in Birmingham.

Villa can be backed at 10/11 to give Bruce a winning start to his reign, with the draw priced at 23/10, while the Villans are 6/1 to gain promotion back to the Premier League this season.