David Moyes has sprung to the defence of sacked Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce saying that he is "up there with the very best".

The former West Ham and Manchester United manager hinted that the club may have made a mistake in letting him go and bringing in Brentford boss Dean Smith.

Bruce was sacked after winning just three times in their opening 11 matches of the season and just one in nine matches after back-to-back wins to start the season.

A 3-3 draw at home to Preston North End in which Villa threw away a 2-0 lead was the final nail in the coffin with Bruce receiving the sack the following afternoon.

Smith has since taken over the reigns at Villa Park with former defender John Terry joining his backroom staff along with long-time assistant Richard O'Kelly.

The former Brentford boss will face Swansea City on Saturday in his first match in charge of the club and will be looking to steer the Villains back towards the top of the table.

But is David Moyes right?

We discuss...

George Harbey 

It’s a bold statement by Moyes for sure - Bruce hasn’t been very successful at all in his last few years of management and was pretty much hounded out by all Villa fans.

It’s a results business and clearly Bruce had lost the dressing room - therefore I think Moyes should take a step back and reevaluate his comments

Jay Taylor 

He has a point to some degree.

Steve Bruce is still able to manage at Championship level still and has a lot to offer any potential suitors.

In terms of Villa sacking him, it's more the style of football and the results that let him down.

I agree that Bruce is still able to manage a team and progress them, but his sacking from Villa was for different reasons.

Chris Gallagher 

He clearly hadn't seen Villa play under Bruce!

They were underachieving this season and probably did last season too given the money spent.

Moyes is looking out for an old mate, but he is wrong with this one. It was the right call.

Jacob Potter

I think Steve Bruce is an excellent manager but he evidently lost the dressing room at Villa.

Once the fans start getting on your back, it's only going one way, and that's downhill.

I feel for Bruce but given the recent results, his sacking was justified as Villa should be near the play-offs, not nearer relegation.