Following a slow start to the season, Aston Villa have really turned a corner under the guidance of Steve Bruce and have now reached the top-half of the Championship standings, sitting five points behind the play-off spots.

If Villa are to continue their charge and seal a spot in the top-six, which would give them the opportunity of an immediate return to the Premier League, then the Midlands outfit will need to back Bruce in the upcoming transfer market.

The race for promotion in the Championship is fierce this season so Villa may need to move quickly to secure the deals they need, which would be beneficial anyway as it would help any new arrivals settle into life at Villa Park quicker.

Here, we've identified two players who Bruce should be looking to land immediately when the transfer window opens next week as we feel they'd be tremendous assets to the side.

Abel Hernandez

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Linked with a move to Aston Villa ever since Steve Bruce took charge, a reunion with his former Hull City boss now seems to be a case of when rather than if- and Villa would be well advised to complete a deal swiftly, so that Hernandez is available for more games.

Premier League strugglers Hull could be happy to sell the Uruguayan striker in next month's window and Bruce's experience with the South American will help him settle into the regime at Villa Park quickly.

With his experience, Villa will be tough to stop.

Conor Hourihane

The Barnsley ace, 25, sees his contract at the Yorkshire side expire at the end of the season and the Tykes are braced for January bids.

With four goals and ten assists this season, Hourihane has proved himself to be a capable player in attack and the midfielder could provide a big boost to Villa's midfield - especially as only Jonathan Kodija from Villa's ranks has scored more goals than the midfielder, whilst his assists tally is significantly higher than anyone else at Villa Park.