Last night, the Mirror website reported that Roberto Di Matteo was under pressure to produce results in order to save his skin and job at Villa Park.
The Mirror reported that Di Matteo was “under the cosh” after a string of disappointing results, only one win in nine games, with the Villans relying on a late Aaron Tshibola equaliser in the 88th minute to get a point from the game with Newcastle United.
The Mirror went on to say that the Aston Villa boss “has been left under no illusions” as to what is expected of him by Villa’s new, slightly eccentric owner Dr Tony Xia as the former Chelsea player attempts to guide the Villans back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
However, in a report on their website today, The Sun say that a big name is ready to step in to the breech should the Villans decide to dispense with the services of likeable Italian Di Matteo.
The man in question is former Hull City boss Steve Bruce who the Sun’s Alan Nixon says is “ready to step in at Aston Villa if Roberto Di Matteo fails to get his expensive side going.” According to The Sun, Bruce has allegedly told friends “that trying to wake the sleeping giant Villa appeals to him.”
The ex-Hull boss, who also managed Villa’s bitter rivals Birmingham City, is said to be itching to get back into management after leaving Hull City following their promotion back to the Premier League last season.
