Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has had his say on former club Aston Villa, and their recent troubles, insisting they must keep the faith with Steve Bruce, reports talkSPORT.

Villa are in free-fall in the Sky Bet Championship, and are looking like facing a relegation battle for the second successive season.

Following relegation from the Premier League, Roberto DI Matteo was tasked with returning Villa to the top-flight, but his disastrous reign ended in October, when Bruce replaced him.

An initial upturn in results under Bruce had many believing Villa could still make the Play-Offs, but a recent poor run has ended all optimism.

O’Neill, who managed Villa between 2006 and 2010, believes his former cub need to stick with Bruce, to turn things around, he told talkSPORT:

“Villa can’t buy a win. I thought that when Steve went in there first of all, they were going to make the play offs.

“That looks unlikely now, but give him time and let him sort things out and give him next season.”

Bruce invested heavily during the January transfer window, bringing seven new players to the club, but that has failed to prevent a recent slip down the table, with Villa suffering five consecutive defeats.

Monday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United, left Villa 17^th in the Championship table just six-points clear of the relegation zone.

Bruce’s side face Derby County on Saturday, before back-to-back fixtures with fellow strugglers Bristol City and Rotherham United.

Villa fans… Do you agree with O’Neill that your club should stick with Bruce? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!