BBC pundit, Alan Shearer, has backed Aston Villa to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers legend told Match Of The Day’s facebook page, that he has great admiration for new Villa boss, Steve Bruce.
“It’s a big ask for them to bounce back automatically,” said Shearer. “but they might have a chance of getting into the playoffs.
Hiring Bruce was a brave appointment, but I am personally a big fan of his. He might not get them up this season, but I am convinced that eventually, he will. If not this season, they’ll definitely be serious contenders next season.”
Aston Villa remains unbeaten since Bruce replaced Roberto Di Matteo last month.
They have accumulated 10 points under the former Birmingham manager’s stewardship, having only picked up eleven in the twelve games managed by Di Matteo.
Bruce has sparked controversy, however, by offering a route back to the Villa first-team for forgotten man, Gabby Agbonlahor. The former captain, who was labeled underweight by recent members of the Villa management, was labeled as: “the best striker in The Championship, when fit and firing,” by Bruce during a recent interview.
Bruce has hoped to get Agbonlahor firing again and has put the former England international on an intense conditioning program, designed to get his fitness up to match standard over a period of six weeks.
The recently relegated side, face an international break before enduring a trip to Brighton, next Friday night.
