After a shaky start to the season, Aston Villa were teetering dangerously close to the bottom three, which was not where anyone expected them to be, especially the disgruntled Villa fans.

Roberto Di Matteo lost his job after a terrible string of results and he was replaced with Championship stalwart Steve Bruce.

And Villa have never looked back since Bruce's arrival, and he has propelled them towards the play-off places, which are definitely achievable for Villa this season.

In Bruce's ten games in charge, Villa have lost just two of them, both coming away at fellow promotion challengers Leeds United and Norwich City.

The Villains are eight points outside of the play-off positions but that can easily be made up over the Christmas period, with games coming thick and fast.

Bruce has already stated he is keen to add to his group in January, with him stating he already has deals beginning to fall into place, but he does need to keep hold of some of the players he already has.

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Chris Wilson identifies TWO players who Bruce must keep hold of in January...

Jordan Amavi

Since Amavi's terrible injury last season, which ruled him out for most of the Premier League campaign, he has returned and rediscovered his early season form of last season, where he was arguably Villa's best player.

Amavi has been linked with a move back to France, but Bruce needs to keep hold of him. He is very good defensively and he epitomises what Bruce's teams are all about.

He also provides a great attacking outlet down the left side, and he is always available and always willing to push on and support the attack.

Amavi could be crucial if Villa are to reach the play-offs.

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Agbonlahor has had some rough times at Villa lately, largely due to his off the field antics, which have meant he has found first team football hard to come by.

Yet, Bruce has given him a lifeline though and offered him a way back into the Villa side.

There is no doubting Agbonlahor knows where the net is and he can score goals.

If Bruce can get him fit and firing, he could be a key player for Villa, whether as a sub or as a starter, and if Villa are in need of a goal, Bruce could turn to Agbonlahor and he could fire them towards promotion.

Aston Villa fans... do you agree? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!