It has been a tough start to the season for Aston Villa, one of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season.

The Villans struggled to beat Middlesbrough last night and fell to a 0-0 draw, despite a myriad of chances and Boro playing with 10 men from the fourth minute.

Villa also saw red, as Henri Lansbury was sent off in the 64th minute.

It leaves the ex-European Champions 18th with just seven points accumulated, and questions asked about manager Steve Bruce's position at the club for the second time this season.

Villa owner Tony Xia may feel inclined to pull the trigger this week as the club's start goes from bad to worse, especially given the money ploughed into the squad over the last two seasons.

A list of potential replacements may be being drawn up as we speak, and here are three managers who would make impressive Bruce replacements....

 

Alan Pardew

Alan Pardew has taken a dive into punditry for the time being and has regularly appeared on Sky this season, but Villa should look at him to replace Steve Bruce as he is a good manager at this level.

Pardew's last spell came at Crystal Palace, who he managed to save from relegation in 2015, but was sacked due to a torrid run of form with the Eagles.

With little chance of a Premier League job anytime soon, Pardew should take a step back into the Championship and attempt to win promotion with Villa to reinstate himself as an underrated manager.

Aitor Karanka 

The ex-Middlesbrough has experience of getting teams out of the Championship having taken Middlesbrough to the Premier League in 2016.

His negative style of play was indicative in sending Boro back where they come from, and he will be hoping for another Championship job to show his ability as a promotion winner.

His job will be similar to the one at Middlesbrough. He will inherit an undoubtedly talented squad, but will face the issue of moulding them into a winning team.

 

Francesco Guidolin

Many agreed that the dismissal of Italian boss Francesco Guidolin from Swansea was unbelievably harsh and that he deserved more time in Wales to lead the Jacks to success.

Thus he should be given a second shot in English football with Aston Villa, however this would be much more of a gamble compared to the other two names on this list.

Guidolin has never managed at Championship level but has shown ability in English football, and to replace Bruce with him could be an absolute masterstroke from Tony Xia.

Villa fans.... What do you make of this? Do you want any of these managers? Let us know in the comments below!